Oca turns the tables back on rebel returnee
Former First District Congressman, now Presidential Assistant on Agriculture, Oscar "Oca"Garin challenged the authorities as well as Miag-ao Mayor Gerardo Flores to check on the background of Jovito Caniban whom he alleged was found with a firearm early morning of February 8 at the Miag-ao public plaza.
Garin questioned why Caniban possessed a firearm when he is not a member of the police or the military.
Caniban earlier accused Garin of poking a gun at him while they are enjoying the food festival at the plaza.
The alleged incident brought Mayor Flores to warn Garin of not disturbing the peace at Miag-ao, more so the celebration of their 290th Foundation Anniversary.
Garin, on the other hand, vehemently denied the gun-poking incident.
In a telephone interview with The News Today, Garin explained that he never poked a gun to Caniban. Instead, he ordered the disarming of Caniban after having noticed that the latter possessed a firearm.
Garin said his companion Joerey Noble, reportedly a nephew of Flores, took the firearm from Caniban then turned over to a policeman from Miag-ao.
Garin said after the confiscation of the gun from Caniban the latter together with his group peacefully left the place. He said people from the other tables were not disturbed by the incident.
Garin said he has prior knowledge of Caniban as a rebel returnee who was allegedly tasked to assasinate him. He described Caniban as a 'notorius' person.
Mayor Flores issued a news release Thursday, February 9, saying that Garin "who maybe is (sic) filthy drunk, pointed a gun to Jovito Caniban, alias Ka Gregg, a peaceful citizen, rebel returnee of good standing and successful farmer." The news release was accompanied by Canibans sworn affidavit.
"The Municipality of Miag-ao is celebrating its 290th Foundation Anniversary and Salakayan Festival 2006 from February 6-12, 2006. We are very proud that not a single disturbance of peace happened for the last six (6) years. Our food fair is visited by hundreds of people everyday..." the news release began while adding that such was to change because of the alleged scene caused by Garin. "As a result, the few people left at that time, scampered for safety upon seeing Oscar Garin drawing his gun. Among those who left the place were Board Member Macario Napulan, Punong Barangay Jose Eiman of Igtuba, Police Officer Pojuer F. Galaport and others."
As such, Mayor Flores hit on Garin saying he strongly condemns the incident.
"The incident of alleged drunkenness and gun pointing drastically changed the mood of our celebration from the feeling of happiness and joy to a feeling of hesitation to visit our food fair," Mayor Flores said at the same time leaving this message for the former solon, "Please do not disturb the peace at Miag-ao. I will not allow you to do it again."
Board Member Napulan, on the other hand, denied the incident.