Cabillan denies extortion charges

By: Jomarie A. Billones ROXAS City – Capiz police director, SSupt. Domingo Cabillan denied the extortion charges filed by controversial contractor Leodegario Labao Jr. Cabillan denied visiting Labao at the latter’s house in Brgy. Balijuagan here sometimes in the first week of May 2011 when the alleged extortion activity happened. He said he has proof that he was in Davao City during that week and also denied getting P50,000 as initial protection money during that first meeting and P20,000 every month. He said the charges filed against him is not extortion but simply solicitation which is in violation of the Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees). Cabillan said he believes the case is an offshoot of the murder case filed by the Capiz Police Provincial Office against Labao who was tagged as mastermind in the killing Mambusao Vice Mayor Abel Martinez last May 4, 2012. “It is not my character of extorting or begging money for my personal needs,” he said adding that the case is pure harassment out to destroy his reputation. Reports said Labao has witnesses and video tape from CCTV camera to prove that the police director took money from him. “I welcome the evidences and the CCTV video. My conscience is clear that I never received money from him,” Cabillan added. Former city councilor Ramon “Monchit” Albar and Olotayan barangay captain Manuel “Bongbong” Aninang stood as Labao’s witnesses. According to their affidavit, Albar was the one who brought Cabillan to Labao’s residence, while Aninang claimed seeing the police director accepting money from the contractor. “I have a high respect for the two (Albar and Aninang). But I don’t know what were their ulterior motives in pinning me down in this issue,” Cabillan added. Cabillan said he stayed for a week at Albar’s resort in Brgy. Culasi sometime in 2006 when he was then Roxas City police station chief. But he clarified that it was personally offered by Albar who then chaired the city council’s committee on police matters.