Iloilo mayor to proceed filing of raps vs city vet, 8 others

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ILOILO CITY—Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city on Monday disclosed his plan to heed the recommendations of the City Legal Office (CLO) to file administrative charges against the city veterinarian and eight others in relation to the killing of 11 stray dogs in Mandurriao district.

Treñas said he would still meet with the CLO on the appropriate steps against City Veterinarian’s Office chief Dr. Tomas Forteza and eight of the latter’s staff members.

“It’s not difficult to file the cases because there were admissions. The case will be filed based on the admissions made by some of the parties. What will happen is that, based on these admissions, we will proceed with the findings of the [CLO],” the mayor said.

The mayor stressed that he was serious in implementing animal welfare regulations by national agencies and the local government.

CLO lawyers Joseph Edward Areño and Lloni Viterbo on August 2 submitted the results of their investigation to the city mayor’s office, recommending that charges should be filed against Forteza and others who captured and killed stray dogs.

Aside from Forteza, the other respondents were Restituto Ebrada, Junivel Sampiano, Joseph Sebreño, Raymund Rovido, Lito Amonador, Elanger Suating, Julio Forteza, and Markwel Clamor.

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