Village chief under preventive suspension

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The punong barangay of Hipona Pontevedra, Capiz was preventively suspended for 60 days while he is being investigated for allegedly harassing an elderly vendor on May 15, 2021.

The suspension order was served by the employees of Mayor Esteban Contreras, Sangguniang Bayan and police against Punong Barangay Restituto “Resty” Oquendo Sr. It took effect on July 14, 2021.

The order was based on the Resolution No. 1 of the Committee of the Whole of the Sangguniang Bayan on July 12, 2021.

The committee recommended the preventive suspension following the administrative complaint filed against Oquendo.

Contreras issued a Memorandum Order to implement the preventive suspension so that Oquendo could not influence the ongoing investigation on the administrative case.

The administrative complaint was filed after Oquendo allegedly upturned the table filled with vegetables and spices sold by Lourdes Navarro.

Oquendo is the father of Restituto “Sultan” Oquendo Jr. who is presently at large after he was tagged in the shooting to death of couple Noly and Jauara Navarro last month.

Lourdes and Norly were cousins who sold vegetables and pork, respectively, in the old public market of the barangay.

The village chief was allegedly upset after the Navarros refused to vacate and transfer their businesses to the new market which was reportedly owned by Oquendo.

Mildred Tumlos, the number one barangay kagawad, will assume as the new village chief based on the rule of succession.