Bohol town officials sue mayor over ‘drug lord’ tag

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

TAGBILARAN CITY — Dauis Vice Mayor Marietta Tocmo-Sumaylo and her husband Liga ng mga Barangay-Dauis chapter president Josever Sumaylo have filed charges of oral defamation, grave slander, and libel complaints against Dauis Mayor Roman Bullen for allegedly accusing them of being drug lords.

The Sumaylo couple lodged the charges at the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas, asserting Bullen made false and malicious imputations about them.

The complaint was based on the speech of Bullen during a flag-raising ceremony last October 10. In his speech, Bullen alleged that the Sumaylos are included in the drug matrix in the possession of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

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Bullen also mentioned businessman Ryan Sigue who was ambushed in 2019 as among those included in the alleged list of drug lords in Dauis.

The Sumaylo couple denied any involvement in drug-related activities.

Marietta filed cases of grave oral defamation, three counts of libel, and grave misconduct which is a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Bullen.

On the other hand, Josever also filed similar complaints against Bullen.

Marietta is seeking P40 million in moral damages and P4 million for exemplary damages. Josever, for his part, sought P20 million in moral damages and P2 million in exemplary damages.

The Sumaylo couple was assisted by lawyer Lord Marapao IV.

Marietta said she felt relieved that justice is now taking its course.

“Somehow, I feel pacified that I no longer harbor ill feelings and worry, especially for our children who are directly affected by whatever harassment done to us by other people,” she said.

In a message to Inquirer, Bullen said he has yet to receive official copies of the complaint. He said he is ready to face the charges against him.

Four days after his speech last October 10, Bullen claimed he received death threats.

A piece of paper placed inside a small brown envelope was reportedly left in front of his house in Barangay Mariveles, Dauis, Bohol province which purportedly carried the message: “Moi, isang bala ka lang.”

“Moi” refers to Bullen’s nickname which is “Amoi.”

Bullen refused to speculate who is behind the death threat.