Brgy Capt, police chief issue affidavits backing Estancia mayor
Ongoing police probe are now hearing more on the yet to be resolved incident involving one of Iloilo’s controversial top cop and a Northern Iloilo town mayor.
Now on its fourth week of parallel investigation, in-house probe ordered by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 hierarchy managed to uncover yet more details from witnesses.
The News Today (TNT) in a follow-up obtained a new affidavit executed by one principal witness, Barangay Captain Edgar Gonzales of San Roque, Estancia, Iloilo. Gonzales’ affidavit formed part of the defense vis a vis official version of subject cop, Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz. Turned out that said Gonzales’ narration dated March 2, 2009 was not his first recollection.
TNT learned that probers are now in possession of a February 28th sworn statement by the Barangay Chief, immediately a day after the now infamous incident. He said more and recalled more in this first affidavit than what was presented in the Rapiz-submitted Gonzales Affidavit.
To note, Rapiz, a former ally of Estancia Mayor Restituto Boy Mosqueda, was in San Roque acting as personal bodyguard of Fifth District Congressman Niel Tupas Jr. It was to be San Roque’s barangay fiesta in February 27th with Rapiz eventually heard to have challenged the town mayor to a gun duel.
Barangay Captain Gonzales noted how Rapiz was in civilian clothes with other uniformed police officers in tow.
“Guwa ka! (Get out!),” Gonzales overheard Rapiz shouting apparently to the town mayor as Congressman Tupas purportedly calmed the Chief Inspector saying “Indi ka magbato Major! (referring to Rapiz).”
Gonzales added that he even approached Rapiz to calm him as well saying “Sir, be calm... it is my barangay fiesta…”
Rapiz reportedly got to apologize to him “and he boarded together with his men on their patrol car and left the area.”
The town police chief has also executed an affidavit noting the 60 caliber “main fire power” of Rapiz and company.
Calling Rapiz the “team leader,” Police Inspector Dwight Fonte Jr. stated that indeed Rapiz while fully-armed was in civilian clothes “with outside holster.”
Fonte Jr. added that it was during lunch that Rapiz’ behaviour turned irritating yet “aggression was calmed and pacified” by Congressman Tupas.
“In addition, PCI Rapiz , in fact, shouted outside the barangay hall and challenged the major for a gun fight in the middle of the barangay plaza in the presence of the constituents and visitors,” Inspector Fonte Jr. said. “That one of the companions of PCI Rapiz went near him armed with Cal. 60 machine gun… That I instructed the companions of PCI Rapiz to bring away the latter from the plaza and they left the barangay.”