Vigan fiscal to handle Paracelis gun ban case

By Gina Dizon

BAGUIO CITY- Following motion to inhibit Baguio Prosecutor Elmer Sagsago from conducting preliminary investigation here on the Paracelis gun ban case, which involved the son of Mountain Province Gov. Maximo Dalog, the controversial issue was assigned to associate prosecutor Elizabeth Bringas of Vigan City by Regional State Prosecutor Nonnatus Caesar Rojas.

RSP Rojas in his July 13 order designated Bringas acting provincial prosecutor in Benguet and conduct preliminary investigation on the case.

The case was earlier filed at the prosecutor’s office in Bontoc, Mountain Province but contested by Cyrus Calaya counsel for congressional candidate Jupiter Dominguez.

Then-assigned prosecutor Golda Calaoa- Bannawi, “in the interest of fair play and justice”, inhibited herself in handling the case as approved by provincial chief prosecutor Moses Ayochok.

Said case was then forwarded to the regional state prosecutor for his decision where RSP Rojas assigned the case to prosecutor Sagsago.

The assignment was contested in motion to inhibit Sagsago by respondents Fangkingan Hewan/Lomong-oy, Floricel Mi-ing, and Mario Yawan.

Bontoc residents Lomong-oy, Yawan, and Mi-ing were arrested earlier at Sitio Ampekla, Barangay Bunot in Paracelis, Mountain Province for violating the Commission on Election’s gun ban law by carrying six high powered firearms loaded in three cars on May 11 during the recent elections.

Arresting officer 2Lt Alvin Dagondon of the 54th IB of the Philippine Army filed charges for violation of the Election Code and Presidential Decree 1866 on illegal possession of firearms against said respondents including police Insp. Dexter Mariano Paredes.

Although, public clamor exhibited in signed petitions and letter-appeals to concerned authorities including the National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police asked for investigation of the alleged participation of other car occupants in the confiscated vehicles including a son of Dalog, then the governor.

The confiscated guns are currently under the custody of the Philippine Army. One of the guns is reportedly registered to Maximo B. Dalog as shown in a certification from the National Police Commission.