Politically motivated? Leyte PB Member Apostol, 5 others face murder raps

CARIGARA, LEYTE, Philippines — Murder charges have been filed against Leyte Provincial Board Member Anlie Go Apostol, and five others—Vilma and Alfredo Obaob, Melanio Dacallos, Jay-R Tamama and Emmanuel Santos—in relation to the killing a Dennis Mesias on September 12, 2012.

The case is now pending for resolution before the sub-provincial prosecution’s office in this town, but Anlie described this as “a product of political maneuvering using dirty tricks in politics.”

The filing of the charges was based on the sworn statement of the alleged gunman, Alexander Tremedal who is now behind bars, pinpointing Anlie as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Mesias.

Tremedal claimed that he was ordered to kill Mesias after the latter stole a diesel from a gasoline station owned by Anlie in this town. The alleged gunman was also working as a security guard of the station during nighttime.

Anlie vehemently denied the accusation, insisting that she was innocent of the crime and that the truth was that this was all “politically motivated” to destroy her person and the reputation of her family.

“What is more important is that we help our people to have better lives. This is simple and clear-cut politics. Please don’t destroy us with dirty politics in Leyte because we will fight for what is true,” Anlie told The Freeman.

Anlie added that her panel of legal counsels had already started studying the case and preparing for the defense when the court will serve a subpoena to her.

However,  Arlene, the widow of Mesias, told reporters in a press conference that she and the family of her slain husband are only seeking for justice, which she said had nothing to do with politics as what some had speculated that a politician had been pressuring her family on the case.

“No politics here, I’m sorry. We just need justice. Are we not entitled to get justice just because we are only poor? We only wanted the people who are responsible to the crime be put in prison,” said Arlene who was accompanied by her lawyer Antonnie Cera, who provided her with free legal service.

Anlie, whose family has been dominating the political field in the 2nd district of Leyte for the past two decades, is the daughter of Representative Sergio Apostol and running for the town’s mayoralty against Mayor Eduardo Ong of the Liberal Party.

Anlie had also served as mayor of this town for two consecutive terms before she was elected to the PB, representing Leyte’s 2nd district.

Her father Sergio, is a congressman seeking for his 3rd term against political neophyte Henry Ong, the younger brother of the town’s incumbent mayor.

Her mother Trinidad was also a former town mayor, vice governor of Leyte and House representative of the district. (FREEMAN)