Court orders release of all 16 men apprehended by Tagapul-an police

By GINA SUELLO-SORILO (San Juanico News)
May 10, 2007

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar – The rest of the 16 men apprehended by Tagapul-an police at Brgy. Manlangit, Tagapul-an, Samar on board the boat “Charina” last April 19 were ordered released last April 27, 2007 by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 32 of Calbayog City. The men, who according to the police were apprehended along with 8 assorted firearms and live ammunition, were detained at the PNP Lock-Up Cell in Catbalogan, Samar.

The arrested alleged armed-men and their seized guns were presented to the media on April 20 at the Samar Police Provincial Office during a press conference.

Ordered discharged by Branch 32, RTC Presiding Judge Roberto A. Navidad were Noel M. Sulibaga, Noel L. Picorro, Henry S. Basas, Filmor E. Basas, Arnel P. Rojas, Charlot D. Picorro, Michael S. Maloloy-on, Romulo L. Sanches, Arturo M. Francisco, Michael M. Lucero, Carlito C. Lucero, Rodel S. Villa, Orlando M. Sarco and Jurry S. Mahinay.

Earlier, Charlie L. Picorro, Sanggunian Bayan Member of Tagapul-an and vice mayoralty candidate for the same town and the owner of motorboat “Charina”, and Adriano L. Picorro were able to post bail.

The police earlier paraded the 16 last April 20 at the Samar Provincial Office at Maulong, Catbalogan and presented to the media together with an M16 Armalite rifle, 2 US Carbine Cal 30 M, a KG99 Cal 9mm Machine pistol, an Ingram Cal 9 mm, an M1 Garrand, a Cal .45 pistol, a Cal .357 magnum; and assorted live ammunition.

The arresting officers, SPO1 Eduardo A. Base, SPO1 Norberto U. Compoto, PO1 Errol Cid C. Mandreza, and PO1 Bobby M. Martires, all of the Tagapul-an Police Station, as well as Station Chief SPO4 Diogenes G. Balais and the PNP Lock-up Cell Warden were made respondents on a petition by the arrested men seeking Habeas Corpus last April 25 citing innocence of the offence for which they were arrested.

And in an unprecedented hearing upon orders from the court, early morning of April 28 at about 2:00 a.m. under the threat of contempt, the officers in question were ordered to release the men and the motorboat “Charina”.

Here, the police questioned the propriety of also releasing the motorboat together with the arrested men; and for this the policemen were detained at the Calbayog Police Station for contempt of court. And on or about 1:00 p.m. of the 28th that same day, the motorboat was released and the Tagapul-an policemen were also freed from their detention.

The Tagapul-an police said they will be pursuing the case of illegal possession of firearms and violation of COMELEC election rules on the earlier apprehended men and are presently waiting for the preliminary investigation.