Barili councilor, ex-brgy chief trade charges

CEBU, Philippines - Vicente Villarin, former barangay captain of Vito will file administrative charges against Barili Councilor Hector Rene Gandionco, whose camp also filed charges against Villarin for frustrated homicide and harassment.

Villarin, in an interview, accused Gandionco of punching him without apparent reason inside the Barili Police Station last Saturday at about 3:00 in the afternoon.

The two were at the station because Gandionco wanted to clear his name against Villarin’s accusation that Gandionco kept on sending wreaths to Mayor Teresito Mariñas and his brother, Barili Human Resource Management Officer Anecito Mariñas.

Villarin and Gandionco have been at odds with each other for a time now because of politics. Villarin is a staunch supporter of Mariñas, while Gandionco is an ally of Mariñas’ rival, Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia.

But, according to Villarin’s claim, he went to see Gandionco so that Gandionco, who is a medical doctor, can check his blood pressure. Villarin added that it was at this point when he asked the councilor why he wanted to send vigil flowers to the mayor and the mayor’s brother.

It was then that Gandionco accompanied him to the police station to have the accusation and his denial reflected in the blotter to clear his name. But at the police station, Gandionco allegedly punched him without saying anything.

But Sr. Insp. Marlon Gumabao, chief of the Barili Police Station, denied such thing happened as he never saw Gandionco punching Villarin.

In a separate interview, Gandionco also denied the allegations. He added that Villarin’s statements are fallacies and motivated by politics. Gandionco further said that they already filed three charges against Villarin for harassing his wife, Mylene.

“Ang akong huna-huna intact pa. I don’t have any reason nga ako silang harason,” said the councilor, adding that he will answer the complaint that Villarin wants to file in court.

Gandionco said his family, especially his wife and mother, is already bothered by the accusations.

“We are told to stand down, keep quiet, and settle things in court and in the right time they will pay for whatever damage they made,” the councilor said.

Earlier, a Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer asked the town council to investigate Villarin.

District Engineer James Dellosa, brother of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Jessie Dellosa, wrote Barili Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia requesting for an investigation on Vicente “Bebot” Villarin.

Dellosa said Villarin harassed him and his men over a project they were implementing in Barili and even demanded to stop the project. Dellosa told the council that Villarin appeared to be drunk when he called up their office. (FREEMAN)