Waiver of tent owner in robbery case miffs Garcia camp

THE camp of suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia branded as an “obstruction of justice” the issuance of a waiver and quit claim of the owner of the tents which were confiscated by police from the Capitol grounds last December. 19.

They accused Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale of “forcing” the owner to waive his right to sue over the confiscation, an incident which is the subject of robbery charges filed against police and Magpale.

The tents that were confiscated by police on Dec. 19, 2012 are the subject of a robbery complaint filed by Pablo “Paulo” Garcia III against Magpale, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo and other PNP officials.

In a press conference yesterda, Christina Codilla-Frasco, daughter and lawyer of the suspended governor, said the waiver only proves their claim that Magpale’s camp ‘robbed’ the tents owned by Oscar dela Calzada.

A photocopy of the waiver and quit claim was given to the media.

The one-page “Acknowledgement Receipt, Quit Claim and Release,” stated that the tents were “deposited at the Legislative Building for safekeeping purposes”.

Magpale’s legal counsel, Magnifico Cañete confirmed meeting with dela Calzada last January 19 to talk about the tents.

He said, it was dela Calzada who requested not to be dragged in the case.

“Siya’y ni-suggest ug mahimo dili na lang daw siya mo-participate sa kaso,” Canete said.

(He was the one who suggested that if possible, he will no longer participate in the case.)

He said Dela Calzada arrived at Magpale’s office last Saturday bringing with him a mayor’s permit and other proof that he is the owner of Shane Trade Marketing, the company where Paulo rented the three tents.

Dela Calzada earlier asked to claim the tents after the Sinulog festivity./Reporter Carmel Loise Matus, with reports from Renan Alangilan