So fast, says lawyer of warrant vs Regencia

By NORA SORIÑO
and TOMASITA ASEQUIA
of GSD-Iligan bureau

ILIGAN City––A lawyer he is questioning what he said was the speedy issuance of an arrest warrant against suspended Mayor Celso Regencia and nine others who were charged in connection with the ambush of Iligan Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. and his convoy in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Lawyer Ver Quimco said he was “amazed” over what looked to him like a hasty issuance of the warrant. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of murder and frustrated murder charges against Regencia and nine others who alleged conspired to kill Belmonte in an ambush on a road to the airport in Laguindingan town on Dec. 11, 2014. The Philippine News Agency reported that a warrant of arrest against Regencia has been issued, and that police tried to serve it on Tuesday afternoon but the mayor was not around. Regencia’s wife reportedly received the warrant. Belmonte said the evidence against Regencia and the other respondents were “overwhelming.” He said witness Dominador Tumala’s statements were corroborated by six others.

A group of residents are reportedly organizing a rally. Fr. Naser Zaragoza of St. Vincent parish here called on residents on air to pray, and subsequently urged them to join a “prayer rally” being organized.

Belmonte, who slightly wounded, survived the ambush but three of his close-in bodyguards died––one on the spot and two others in the hospital.

The police said the acceptance of the warrant of arrest by the wife of Regencia already served the purpose. The charges require no bail.

Supporters of Regencia assailed the murder charges, saying there was no direct evidence that would link the mayor to Belmonte’s attempted killing.

Regencia is currently serving a six-month suspension on administrative charges filed by the political opposition in the city council. (with reports from pna)