Reluya cries harassment, eyes charges vs Feliciano

CEBU, Philippines — San Fernando, Cebu Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya is planning to file harassment and grave threat charges against her political rival, businessman Ruben Feliciano.

Reluya, who is seeking reelection in the May polls against Feliciano, said she and her allied officials in 21 barangays received threats from the camp of Feliciano.

Feliciano’s camp reportedly barged into the houses of the officials and threatened to kill them.

At the pulong pulong or proclamation rallies of Feliciano, the latter also accused Reluya and her allies of being involved in the illegal drug trade.

Reluya said Feliciano’s campaign strategy is to threaten her and her allies.

Reluya said Feliciano should expect a hundred grave threat charges to be filed against him within the week.

“Kita dili man ta isog pero ako lang likayan nga mag-abot among dalan kay ako di gyud ko mo-atras. Napatay na gud akong bana,” said Reluya.

The mayor survived an ambush in January, but her husband and Association of Barangay Councils President, Ricardo Reluya Jr., driver Ricky Monterona, and one of her staff members, Allan Bayot, were killed on the spot.

Reluya recently convened her department heads, the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) and police to discuss the threat.

Mario Oville, the municipal Comelec supervisor, said a party who feels aggrieved by the opponent’s act should file a formal complaint.

Senior Inspector Lymel Pasquin, police chief of San Fernando, shared Oville’s statement.

Pasquin urged candidates to be more circumspect in their actions to avoid legal proceedings.

Feliciano, on the other hand, denied any hand in the harassment incidents.

Pasquin said Feliciano went to the police station the other day to report that he was reportedly “threatened” by the camp of Reluya. — KBQ (FREEMAN)