TV news lands two PNP execs in court

LAOAG CITY -- Regional Trial Court Judge Philip Salvador of Branch 13 here heard last week a case of writ of habeas filed by Dingras (Ilocos Norte) Mayor Marynette Gamboa against police OIC provincial director Senior Supt. Marlo Chan and his intelligence officer Supt. William Fang in connection with the nationwide televised PNP report alleging that the lady mayor was among those who allegedly maintained a private armed group (PAG).

In a summary hearing held at Marcos Hall of Justice here, Judge Salvador ordered the petitioner Mayor Gamboa to submit to the court her position paper on the case within ten days in response to the request of her lawyer Ferdinand Ignacio.

Chan and Fang, through their defense counsels, were given 20 days to submit to the court their position paper on the case as requested by their five lawyers from the Office of Solicitor General, Manila.

"We shall present our position paper within 20 days while the petitioner, within 10 days, after which the court shall make its resolution on the case. Let us wait for the ruling of the court." Chan told reporters.

Gamboa's lawyer Ignacio said in the hearing that the legal fight is five against one referring to himself and the PNP's five lawyers who came from Manila to assist Chan and Fang.

Ignacio told mediamen the PNP officers in the province committed an erroneous report to their higher headquarters when they tagged a certain Jonathan Bagamaspad, a municipal employee of Dingras, as alleged PAG member of Mayor Gamboa.

Earlier, Gamboa's name was included in the Zenarosa Commission- PNP report through a nationwide TV newscast identifying her as one of suspected local officials who maintain PAGs in their respective places.

As an offshoot, she filed the writ of habeas data in court to clear her name and reputation, said her lawyer adding that it is a test case being the first of its kind.