BOGO STANDOFF
Photos by Lito Tecson
Report by Carine Asutilla, Correspondent
Tensions flared in Bogo City yesterday after Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. and his supporters blocked the convoy of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon who was on his way to the Pulang Bato Elementary School.
Martinez wanted Salimbangon’s service vehicle, a Ford Expedition and his back up vehicle, a black Kia Carniva, searched by the police for firearms. But Salimbangon refused.
“Ug wala silay gi tago-an ngano dili man nila man nila paablihan ang ilang sakyanan (If they were not hiding anything, why won’t they open their vehicles),” asked Martinez.
Aside from Martinez, his children Tining and Carlo and wife Clavel and some supporters blocked Salimbangon’s convoy.
Supt. Julian Entoma, chief of the Bogo City police station, who responded to the commotion told Martinez that a search of Salimbagon’s vehicles was not possible in the absence of a search warrant.
He pointed out that mere suspicion was not enough basis to conduct a search.
He added a search would be possible if Salimbangon agreed to it.
Asked if he was willing to have his vehicles searched, Salimbangon responded “that is not the issue here”.
Posted on May 11, 2010
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