8 signatories in complaint vs Mayor, police chief retract

By JOEL CAPUNDAN

ROXAS CITY – Eight signatories in the letter-complaint against Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose and Tapaz PNP chief Inspector Diomedes Cuadra have cleared the two of the serious allegations that they have committed abuse of power.

They claimed that the letter was caused to be signed by them in separate occasions by Lorenzo Gerardino, Brgy. Kagawad of Poblacion Tapaz, who during the signing of the same, neither gave them the opportunity to read the letter thoroughly nor explained to them the contents of the letter.

The one page joint affidavit was signed by Tomas Encarnacion, Zotico Guyod, Jr., Rustico Ambag, Jr., Madeline Gremio, Ma. Fe Ganit, Roger Sola, Doreern Gerardino and Rosalia Funtilon.

"What made us decide to sign the said letter without reading it was because of the assurance that the said letter was made purportedly for the good of the community," they said.

They also said that all imputations hurled at the present elective municipal officials in Tapaz, Capiz including the chief of police contained in the letter are all malicious and concocted lies and have no truth at all.

The controversial letter addressed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other provincial officials of Capiz allege that Gardose and Cuadra have committed abuses in Tapaz town.

They accused the two of conniving in perpetrating numerous unsolved killings in Tapaz, unduly and malicious imputing crimes against Poblacion barangay captain and killings inside the station among others.

It also accused Gardose of having 10 heavily armed bodyguards.

The letter was read by Board Member Rommel Lastimoso, chair of committee on peace and order and police matters, in last week's regular session.

Gardose vehemently denied the allegations contained in the letter.

"The people can attest to my good governance, since I serve this town with sincerity and utmost dedication," she said.

Gardose' husband former Vice Mayor Victor Gardose along with two others were gunned down months before the election of 2007. Her late husband was just declared his intention to run for mayor before he was killed.

The widow mayor decided to run as mayor after the death of her husband.

On his part, Cuadra also denied all allegations by saying that he is only doing his job of maintaining peace and order in the municipality. He also denied having sided or supported political figures in Tapaz.