Iligan surrendered mayor files certificate of candidacy

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA and FRANK E. DOSDOS JR.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines

October 16, 2015

Mayor Celso G. Regencia who surrendered Monday after hiding for months when a warrant for his arrest was issued by a local Court in a nearby province filed his certificate of candidacy in the local office of the Commission on Election (Comelec) Wednesday.

It was learned that his wife filed the COC in his behalf.

Regencia stands charged of multiple murder and frustrated murder in the daylight ambush last December along the road from Laguindingan International Airport to the National Highway of the convoy of Congressman Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr. of the lone district of this City where four of the solon’s bodyguards were killed and four wounded.

He evaded arrest and went at large for months until he surrendered.

Regencia is serving a six-month suspension for Grave Abuse of Authority when the Warrant for his arrest came out.

Regencia reportedly surrendered to Judge Arthur Abundiente of the Regional Trial Court of Cagayan de Oro who promptly turned him over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tipanoy, Iligan.

He was immediately booked for confinement and underwent the routine detention processes for incoming detainees.

In accordance with normal protocol, the Jail Warden did not allow the detainee to be interviewed by the Press.

But those who happened to see him said Regencia appeared haggard, thinner than he was before and had grown a bushy beard and mustache.

Sources close to the Mayor said he surrendered because his suspension is due to expire on October 19 and that he is going to file his Certificate of Candidacy.

Belmonte on the other hand is expected to file his certificate of candidacy today.

In an interview, Belmonte told the media that he appreciated Regencia’s surrender because it will lead to the resolution of the criminal charges against him. 

THE NEW RANAO STAR