THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has reversed its previous resolution that indicted Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges in connection with the attempt on the life of former Iligan Representative Vicente Belmonte in 2014.
In a December 9, 2016 resolution copies of which were released to the media Friday, January 13, the DOJ granted the motion of Regencia and his co-respondents to dismiss the charges against them.
Belmonte, who was then the lone district representative of Iligan, was ambushed as his convoy was on its way to Iligan from the Laguindingan airport in December 2014.
Two of Belmonte’s aides were killed in the firefight between his security personnel and the gunmen.
The new DOJ document has also reversed the department’s resolution that caused the indictment of Regencia and at least nine other persons.
The resolution has also ordered the City Prosecutor of Quezon City to withdraw all the information filed in court regarding the complaints, with National Prosecution Service, against the respondents.
The resolution was signed by Rassendell Rex Gingoyon, Lillian Doris Alejo, Senior Assistant State Prosecutors, and Jorge Catalan Jr., officer-in-charge prosecutor general.
It can be recalled that there were efforts to have Regencia, who is detained at the Iligan City Jail in Barangay Tipanoy, be moved to Bicutan jail at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, but these were thwarted by his supporters who blocked the road with every news of his transfer.
In an interview Friday afternoon, Iligan City Information Officer Jose Pantoja said Regencia has been praying for his freedom so he can efficiently and effectively function as city mayor.
“It is now just a matter of days before his [Regencia’s] release. We are grateful the former DOJ resolution was reversed due to lack of probable cause,” Pantoja said.
