• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A building guard of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) has filed a complaint for grave threats against a city councilor for allegedly threatening him with a gun at the BTAO office at the compound of the Bacolod City Police Office on October 18.
Arnel Salvallon filed the complaint against Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino before Police Station 8.
If I had threatened him with a gun while in front of BTAO head Maj. Junjie Liba, why did not Liba call my attention because it would be in violation of the election gun ban? Espino asked, who went to the BTAO to inquire about an alleged corruption incident that was reported to him.
He has no animosity against Liba, but this is strictly professional, he said. However, “I will make this personal once I prove there is corruption in BTAO,” he said.
Espino said he is mulling the filing of a criminal complaint against Salvallon for manhandling him when he visited the BTAO office to follow-up a complaint concerning an impounded motorcycle.
Espino denied allegations that he was armed when he entered the office of Liba to inquire about the complaint of his friend that two students, one of them his nephew, were made to pay P1,500 for the release of their motorcycle which was impounded by BTAO personnel, after they were caught driving without helmets and without driver’s license.
Liba, on the other hand, denied allegations that the students were charged with carnapping for the release of their motorcycle from the BTAO holding area, saying these are just allegations.
He said he will answer the allegations of corruption against BTAO in the proper forum.
Former councilor Dindo Ramos, legal counsel of Espino, said they will explore all legal remedies available. He added that Espino is a city official and the way he was treated was without legal jurisdiction.
“I think the issue of corruption is something to be considered by the committee of Al as chairman of the SP Committee on Transportation, and Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government. So he has authority to investigate,” he said.*
