Mayor’s assistant nabbed for ‘pointing gun’ at 2 persons

CEBU, Philippines - An executive assistant of Mayor Michael Rama was arrested for allegedly pointing a government-issued gun at two persons in Dakit 3, Tres de Abril, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City on Saturday evening.

Dennis Jabonero, 61, was apprehended by the elements of Punta Princesa Police Station after pointing his hand gun at Joseph Biñas, 32, and Jefferson Gayo, 33, both residents of the barangay.

Biñas reportedly wrestled with the suspect and was able to successfully grab the firearm from the latter’s possession.

A .99mm Luger loaded with one live ammunition was confiscated from Jabonero’s possession.

Police Officer 2 Bernard Nebrija, desk officer of Punta Princesa Police Station, said the victims alleged that Jabonero suddenly pointed the gun at them for no apparent reason.

They reportedly described the suspect as already drunk during the incident.

“Nanion ra gyud siya og kalit. Nahubog tingali basin nay problema (He just suddenly pointed the gun. He might have a problem and resorted to alcohol),” he said.

Nebrija said the firearm was issued to Jabonero by the Cebu City government.

He added that the suspect was able to present the necessary documents for the gun, such as the permit to carry outside residence and memorandum receipt.

A criminal charge of grave threat was already filed against Jabonero yesterday before the City Prosecutor’s Office. He is temporarily detained at the Punta Princesa Police Station.

The police will still have to validate the documents he had presented to determine if he has violated any provision of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Relatedly, Cebu City Human Resource Development Office Chief Dominic Diño confirmed that Jabonero is a casual employee at the City Hall under the Office of the Mayor.

Diño said he is one of the executive assistants of Mayor Rama.

“We will wait for a formal complaint gyud kay it would trigger for the administrative case man gud, but regarding sa incident, it is a personal offense, if there’s any. We can check on the facts on the incident,” he said.

He added that the Committee on Discipline and Investigation would investigate the matter if a sworn complaint will be filed against Jabonero.

“Pwede man pud if mosulti si Mayor nga ipa-investigate, pwede gyud dayon ta mo-proceed sa atong investigation,” he said.

General Services Office Chief Dionisio Gualiza said his office is still verifying whether the gun used by Jabonero was indeed a City Hall-issued gun.

“Kon pareho gani ang iyang serial number ug ARE (acquisition receipt for equipment), sa City Hall gyud to siya. Kailangan nato i-verify,” he said.

Gualiza said it is the mayor who will sign for the request of acquisition of guns to City Hall employees.

“Makabargo ra pud mi og equipment kun dunay recommendations sa City Legal Office, sa HRDO, or ni Mayor,” he said.

He added that he has heard that his office has issued a gun to Jabonero, but he will still verify if the gun used in the recent incident was the gun issued by the city government.

In his capacity as the acting mayor, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said he will send a letter of notice to Jabonero to explain the incident, considering that it may be a government-issued gun.

Labella, also a lawyer, said the judicial process should go.

“Under the law, when it comes to administrative disciplinary action against government officials, if it is not in relation to office, you have to wait for a conviction by the final judgment on the alleged administrative infraction,” he said.

Labella added that if it is in relation to office, they could immediately initiate an administrative investigation.

He noted that under the law, if it has nothing to do with the performance of public office, the city government shall wait for the outcome of the criminal aspect.

“If he is convicted, then, by all means administrative proceedings will be undertaken,” he said. (FREEMAN)