Barangay captain apologizes for gun-pointing incident, might face suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Controversial Cubacub Barangay Captain Almario Bihag apologized to Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing for the gun-pointing incident during the election of officers for the Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition (MSGC) last month. In an interview with reporters, Quisumbing said the barangay captain "apologized" to him, saying that the barangay captain himself was as surprised by the actions he showed his constituents.

"When we talked to few days ago, he apologized. I cannot divulge the details because the formal complaint was already filed before the City Council,"

Quisumbing said, adding that Bihag understands that a formal complaint has been filed against him.

The council already referred to the committee on good governance the letter complaint filed by Winnie Garcia Sicad of Barangay Cubacub and Rolita M. Balane of Zone Sili, Barangay Paknaan expressing their intention to file an administrative case against Bihag for poking a gun at them on November 25.

Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna said the committee will be chaired by Councilor Nene Layese, who is a lawyer, and Councilors Demeterio Cortes Jr. and Association of Barangay Captains President Ernie Manatad as members.

Balane, who is a job order employee and who facilitated the election of the MSGC for Barangay Cubacub, said the election was supposedly set last November 12 but it was moved to November 25 upon the request of Bihag since he was out of town for the initial schedule.

The election was held at the gymnasium, with different sectors from the women, youth, PWDs, senior citizens, LGBT and the urban poor were represented.

It was also agreed that there should be no more than 10 representatives per sector that will vote for the MSGC officers.

In her affidavit, Balane said that during the conduct of the election, a certain employee of the barangay, Lotes Vega, approached her and handed over her mobile phone, saying Bihag wanted to talk to her.

"During the conversation, (Barangay Councilor) Edgar Bihag told me to stop the election because I did not follow what we have previously agreed. Noticing that he was drunk at that time, I did not answer him and continued with the election," Balane said.

She added: "Kap. Bihag told me not to continue with the election because it was contrary to our agreement. I tried to explain to him that we conducted the election based on our agreement, not interested to hear my response Kap. Bihag put down the phone."

Balane even consulted the body composed of the sectoral representatives whether they will proceed with the election. "The group, which includes Celesterio Bihag, senior citizens president and the father of Kapitan Bihag, insisted that we proceed with the election," she said. Later on, Bihag arrived at the gymnasium and allegedly pointed his .45 caliber pistol to Balane's face. The gun-pointing incident was caught on video by Sikad. "Kap. Bihag was not provoked or unlawfully aggressed by any person at the time that he pointed the gun at Winnie Sikad and me," she said. Balane said that she is willing to appear before the City Council to prove her statement. She also said that Bihag should be held accountable for his use of gun, alarms and scandal, grave threats and abuse of authority.

The MSGC is the program that allows the city residents to closely monitor the implementation of projects. MSGC officers in the barangays will be the ones to plan for the projects in their respective areas. If found guilty, Bihag will be facing a possible suspension. (FREEMAN)