QCPD temporarily frees Crisologo pending further probe 

Quezon City mayoralty candidate Bingbong Crisologo answers questions and narrate his ordeal during his brief detention at the QC Police District. Crisologo also casts his vote at Heroes Hills in barangay Sta. Cruz. INQUIRER photo / Edwin Bacasmas

Update

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City representative and mayoral candidate Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo was released from police custody pending further investigation after being arrested for alleged obstruction of justice, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Monday.

Crisologo, along with his son lawyer Frederick William, were arrested on Sunday for alleged obstruction of justice after allegedly trying to stop the arrest of his supporters supposedly involved in a vote-buying incident in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City.

READ: QC mayoral bet Crisologo arrested for alleged obstruction of justice, PNP clarifies

READ: Bingbong Crisologo undergoes inquest proceedings

Assistant City Prosecutor Felomina F. Apostol-Lopez issued the resolution allowing the release of Crisologo. The resolution was approved by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Manuel P. Felipe, Chief Inquest Division.

QCPD director Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel told INQUIRER.net said Crisologo would be allowed to vote.

“Released na sila eh, eh di pwede sya bumoto. Hanggang alas sais naman ang botohan,” he said in a phone interview.

However, Esquivel said that the police would still conduct a preliminary investigation between 10 to 15 days of Crisologo’s release.

Crisologo, his son and 44 others, are facing complaints of such as unjust vexation, direct assault, and obstruction of justice, violation of the Omnibus Election Code, disobedience and resisting arrest, usurpation of authority and illegal detention.

In an interview with reporters, Crisologo said he felt vindicated after the resolution allowing his release was approved.

“Yes, because I know it was a false charge,” Crisologo told reporters when asked if he feels vindicated after his release.

“[It is] a charge to prevent me from exercising my right to vote and to demoralize my followers. But I think it worked the other way around; I got sympathy perks,” he added.

The mayoral candidate denied the police reports claiming he shouted at and humiliated the police officers during the arrest.

“Biruin mo, para sabihin na ako ay nanakit sa tao. I’m 71 years old, sasaktan ko yung tao na yan, 55, 54, 53, 52 [years old] na may mga baril?” he said.

He earlier claimed that the arresting officers were not in uniform and did not have a warrant to search the premises.

Crisologo also claimed that the station commander of Quezon City Police station 3 did not respect their rights during the arrest.

“He did not respect anymore the rights of a lawyer, ‘sige posasan na yan’ [sabi ni Colonel Alberto], pinosasasan anak ko, pinosasan ako so what kind of police do we have?” the QC mayoral bet said.

“Talagang ang daming testigo na nakakita n’on. So we will follow that after the elections,” he added.  (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)