The Ombudsman has dismissed the estafa charges filed against Silay Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano and Balaring Barangay Captain Jocelyn Doromal.

The Ombudsman upheld an earlier resolution of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Silay dismissing a complaint of Melanie Bulalacao against the mayor and the barangay captain for allegedly taking 26 kilograms of diwal shells from her on March 2, 2010 for their own use and benefit against her will.

Montelibano and Doromal, in denying that they committed estafa, said the diwal shells were actually confiscated from the complainant for violation of several city ordinances regulating fishing activities in Silay City.

The Ombudsman’s decision said  it appears that when Doromal  and the police took the diwal shells away from the complainant, they were only enforcing city ordinances to protect and conserve the aquatic resources along the shores of Barangay Balaring, Silay City.*CPG

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