Mendoza arraigned on disobedience raps

MANILA, Philippines—The arraignment on serious disobedience charges filed by the Manila Police District (MPD) against Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza finally pushed through Thursday afternoon, with the respondent refusing to enter a plea.

The policeman was charged last year with serious disobedience for entering a cordoned area in civilian clothes against police orders—and armed with his service firearm—during the hostage-taking at the Quirino Grandstand on August 23.

Gregorio’s brother, Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, who had taken hostage a busload of tourists, was slain in the incident that also left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

Manila Metropolitan Branch 11 Presiding Judge Ermin Ernest Louie R. Miguel entered a plea of not guilty for Gregorio after the latter’s counsel refused to let him enter a plea.

Miguel twice denied Gregorio’s motion to quash the information last year. The Manila Regional Trial Court had junked Gregorio’s petition to have Miguel’s rulings nullified early February.

The arraignment on Thursday pushed through despite attempts by Gregorio’s lawyer, Mayo Domingo F. Ramos, to file in court another motion to quash and to dismiss the case, this time “based on duplicity of charges.”

“Because of a single act, two cases were filed against [my client],” Ramos argued, referring to another criminal charge of serious illegal detention filed in the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 14 last February 18.

“How is that complaint the business of this court?” Miguel demanded, explaining the information filed in his court only covered the serious disobedience charges.

“The motion to quash has no other intent but to again delay proceedings,” he added.

The judge denied Ramos’ motions in open court before ordering the arraignment and pre-trial conference to proceed.

Gregorio’s party admitted they were not ready for a pre-trial conference. “We have to study two administrative cases and three criminal charges against my client before proceeding,” Ramos said in an interview.

Miguel set the pre-trial conference for the serious disobedience charges on May 5.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador, deputy negotiator during the hostage-taking, said in an interview that Manila RTC Branch 14 was set to issue a warrant of arrest for Gregorio for the serious illegal detention charges.

“We will also be filing the necessary motions for that case,” Ramos said.
Gregorio is also facing charges of illegal possession of firearms in court.