Grave coercion hearing postponed once more
For the second time, the preliminary hearing of the charges grave coercion filed by 6 members of a militant group against some the soldiers of the 79th Infantry Battalion based in Siaton was again cancelled. The preliminary hearing was supposed to be conducted yesterday but one of the respondents, Patrolman First Class Ryan Ignacio, was not able to attend.
Fourth Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Demetrio Dingal was supposed to ask some clarificatory questions to PFC Ignacio. Because of this, the legal counsel of the 79th IB Atty. Roy Lozano asked to cancel the preliminary hearing. The next preliminary hearing is again scheduled on July 18. Those who attended yesterday’s cancelled preliminary investigation were complainants Raymond Eyos, Dindo Gallardo, Cathy Balderas and Lito Hernandez.
On the other hand, Atty Roy Lozano, legal counsel of the 79th IB, who was interviewed over DYEM Energy FM Dumaguete Tonight, said that the two other complainants have no interest over the case since they failed to attend the preliminary investigation for the second time.
Atty. Lozano added that the Barangay Officials of Barangay Mantiquel, Siaton headed by Barangay Captain Jasmine Darias and the residents issued a sworn statement discrediting the allegations of grave coercion filed by the 6 complainants. The complainants alleged that they were forced to attend an assembly organized by the military.
Home 
Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:42 pm