Osmeña: Cops will threaten prosecutors

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña believed that the police will threaten the prosecutors handling the case of his ally, Tejero Barangay Councilor Jessielou Cadungog.

The mayor said he could not understand why the police want to implicate Cadungog in the death of PO3 Eugene Calumba, when the barangay official reportedly was not in the crime scene at the time of the incident.

“Why? They’re going to threaten the prosecutors also when they file motion for reconsideration? They’ll threaten the prosecutors? They will kill their family if they will not consider their motion for reconsideration? Is that what they will do? That’s what I think they will do,” the mayor told reporters.

On July 30, Cadungog and his bodyguard, William Macaslang, were able to survive an alleged botched assassination attempt. Macaslang was able to shoot Calumba who reportedly pulled out his gun first.

But, the police defended Calumba who was with a police asset Michael Banua when they conducted an alleged “surveillance.”

Cadungog was already cleared of murder and attempted murder charges last week, while Macaslang is out on bail for homicide and frustrated homicide.

The police, however, are poised to file a motion for reconsideration to include Cadungog in the downgraded cases.

Osmeña expressed his worries over the safety of the people because some officials “distort” facts in the Cadungog case.

“Cebuanos are still in danger. That’s what I’m trying to say. Since they pick on him, and I feel it’s politically motivated, and it’s a clear distortion on the part of the general. That’s why I’m taking a stand,” the mayor said.

With this, Osmeña said he will formally ask the police to produce the permit to carry of firearms of Banua who was reportedly a police asset.

If the police will not produce the permit, the mayor said he will file charges against the police.

“Is he (Banua) civilian asset? How come civilian asset is armed? Where’s his permit to carry? Why are you getting an asset that’s not from here? Why do you say Cadungog ambushed these two people? That’s an obvious distortion as I see it,” the mayor said.

The mayor said he could not provide security for Cadungog since he does not even have his own personnel.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)–7, for its part, is now studying its legal options after the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors Office dismissed the murder and frustrated murder complaints they had filed against Cadungog.

PRO-7 Director Debold Sinas said that they are dismayed with the decision but assure that they will review the resolution for further action.

Meanwhile, PRO-7 Legal Officer, Police Superintendent Edhel Pereira, said they haven’t received the resolution yet but they are studying whether to file a motion for reconsideration.

“Your PNP believes that we have a strong case against him. We are surprised because we do believe that they will be filing the case that we filed,” said Pereira.

The dismissal of the charges against Cadungog was after there were no probable cause found that he was involved in the killing of Calumba last August 30.

Macaslang, however, was indicted for homicide and frustrated homicide. (FREEMAN)