A man wanted for robbery was arrested in his home in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.
Jerome Bontuyan Bontia was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) led by his cousin Insp. Delfin Bontuyan.
“No one is above the law,” said Bontuyan, who is the deputy chief of CIDG-Metro Cebu.
Bontuyan said it was difficult for him see a relative getting arrested “but the law must not be ignored.”
Bontia did not resist when he was arrested past 10 p.m. Monday on the basis of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC)Judge Enriquita Belarmino.
Police said Bontia was sentenced to three to seven years imprisonment for robbery.
Bontuyan said he only learned about his cousin’s arrest warrant a few days ago.
Bontuyan said Bontia is facing seven robbery charges.
Bontia’s father, Condrado, a retired school principal, intervened in his son’s behalf and convinced some of the victims to withdraw the cases they filed against him, Bontuyan said.
Bontuyan said Bontia has been using illegal drugs. He said the man’s sisters Josenyn and Jessabeth who worked abroad have helped send their brother to a rehabilitation center but he continued with his vices.
Bontia left for Ireland and returned two months ago.
Bontuyan said upon learning that his cousin is back, they went to the court to check if if he has a pending arrest warrant.
Bontuyan said the man’s father interfered in the arrest.
“Kun unsay mahitabo ana akong anak dong, mag-abot ta sa husgado. Kagamay ra aning kasoha, dapat mga barangay tanod or Talamban police ra unta ang modakop (You’ll be answerable if something bad happens to my son. It is just a minor case and the arrest could have been made just by barangay tanods or Talamban police),” said Bontuyan qouting Condrado as saying.
Bontuyan said Condrado’s reaction was just normal for a father./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON