Talisay lot row lawyer nabbed in courthouse

Over a year after losing his wife, lawyer Raul Sesbreño was arrested by police on charges of serious illegal detention at 1 p.m. yesterday.

Sesbreño was arrested minutes after he went inside the Palace of Justice.

The charges were filed against him by three minors whom he allegedly detained during a demolition in barangay Lawaan III, Talisay City almost two years ago.

“Nakalitan ko. Nianhi ko aron mag-follow up og kaso. Kalit-kalit man ni. (I was surprised. I came here to follow up a case. The arrest was so sudden),” Sesbreño said.

He was handcuffed by two police officers detailed at the Palace of Justice and brought to the staff room of Branch 6 of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court before he was taken to the Talisay City Jail where he was detained.

The case filed against Sesbreño is a non-bailable offense which meant he will stay behind bars pending the resolution of the charges against him.

But should the prosecution fail to present strong evidence, Sesbreño may be allowed to post bail.

Right after his arrest, Sesbreño asked the police to allow him to file a motion to suspend the warrant of arrest issued against him. His request was granted. Judge Ester Veloso, however, has yet to resolve his plea.

Sesbreño is also contemplating on seeking the assistance of the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court so he will be released from jail.

He said the three minors whom he allegedly detained were just used by settlers who don’t want to leave the lot he was claiming ownership.

“They made it appear that I detained the three minors. But there is no evidence to prove their allegations,” Sesbreño said.

The charges against Sesbreño stemmed from the complaint of the three minors whom he allegedly detained inside a house in barangay Lawaan, Talisay City last Sept 7, 2011.

The minors were released three hours later after their father along with police officers and representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development arrived.

In early 2012, Sesbreño’s wife was killed in an ambush in Talisay City.