BANGUED, Abra – The Provincial Election officer of the province is seeking the conduct of an investigation and immediate relief of the chief of police and investigation unit of the La Paz Municipal Police station relative to the acts of Mayor Joseph Sto. Bernos upon the election assistant of the said municipality.
In her letter to Abra Acting Provincial Director Police Col. Froiland Lopez, Provincial election Supervisor lawyer Mae Richelle B. Chaudhary demanded the issuance of a police report in relation to what transpired against Chadela B. Tuazon, election assistant of La Paz and her sister, last march 25, 2024 at around 3:30 pm who was reportedly coerced by Mayor Bernos and the La Pas election officer.
Further, she also sought for the relief of the La Paz Municipal Police Station chief of police PCpt. Graeme Boy B. Javier, who was reportedly obtaining the complete names of her security detail at that time he was physically present at the residence of Mayor Bernos, an act showing violation of political neutrality in the course of official duties.
The provincial election supervisor claimed that the La Paz MPS investigation unit should also be relieved for the fair and speedy investigation of the said incident and filing of appropriate cases against those responsible for the same.
Chaudhary also urged the police official for preferential attention on the said matter, otherwise, she will be constrained to refer the same to the higher headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Based on the narrative of the said incident, at around 4 pm of march 25, 2024, Tuazon 40, Comelec election assistant of La Paz and resident of barangay Malabbaga, La Paz, Abra personally went to the La Paz MPS and reported tat at around 3:30 pm of the same date, mayor Bernos went to their office located at the municipal building infuriated and went straight to her table and said in terrible manner and in high tone of voice, ‘Apay nga kalkalabanen dak? Anya ti kayat yu guba?’
When the suspect saw the victim taking her cellphone, he said in the Ilocano dialect, ‘Anya agipulong ka ken manag mo? Pumanaw ka ditoy! Haan ko kayat nga agopisina ka ditouy! Sino ti nangipakadaan yu? Siyak ti mayor dituy!’ while her election officer Rodrigo Basa was watching and did nothing to pacify the situation.
Mayor Bernos, who is also the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), went out of the room and came back again and said, ‘Anya pay lang ti ububraem di ka pay lang pumanaw?’ Afterwards, the suspect hit her table together with a laptop on top of it.
The Comelec official added that the said incident was witnessed by a certain Sonny Trinidad, an officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Hazel Martinez, a collector of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and three personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development based in the local government and fourteen on the job training students from Queen of Peace La Paz High School.
After the said incident, the victim went out of the office and saw her election officer laughing while talking to someone on his cellphone.
Chaudhary alleged that at around 10:59 pm of the same day, she inquired through Col. Dangioan about the issuance of a situation report for proper action by the poll body, however, despite the signed narrative submitted and the list of witnesses submitted by the victim, La Paz MPS reportedly responded that the incident will only be entered in the blotter and the crime information report and accounting system after a certain period of time.
She pointed out that the aforesaid acts of Mayor Bernos allegedly constitutes violation of Section 283 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 261(f) of the Omnibus election code.
Under the Omnibus election code, any person who directly or indirectly threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties is punishable by law.
Mayor Bernos and the concerned election officer could not be reached for comment as of press time. By Dexter A. See
