An anti-drug crusading policeman yesterday claimed he was threatened with a gun by Mayor Jose "Oti" Montelibano who ordered him to kneel before him at the Mayor's Office in Silay City.

SPO1 Dante Victor Escorpion, former chief of the Silay police Drug Enforcement Unit, said Montelibano got mad at him for allegedly harassing his followers during the election, and mauling a woman, among others.

When he vehemently denied the accusations, Montelibano allegedly challenged Escorpion "Show me the proof". Montelibano, admitted having summoned Escorpion since Thursday, because of complaints that he had mauled a woman, as recorded at the Silay City Police Station.

Escorpion said he was advised not to bring his service firearm, when he reports to Montelibano at the Silay City Mayor's Office

He narrated that Montelibano brought him into one of the rooms of his office at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday, while the mayor's bodyguard was posted outside.

Inside the room, Escorpion who was in police uniform, said Montelibano got his .45 caliber pistol from his waist, poked the gun at him, and ordered him to kneel. At the same time, Escorpion said he was confronted by Montelibano about the alleged harassment of his followers during the May 14 election, for calling him "gago", and for allegedly mauling a woman.

Escorpion, who said he was shocked by the uncalled for behavior of Montelibano being an elected mayor, denied all the allegations against him.

He added that he left the room as Montelibano also threatened to kill him.

Montelibano said he will not be surprised if he will be accused of more crimes, adding, "They are determined to destroy me". "Reports like this will drive the investors away (in Silay City)," he added.

Newly-installed Silay police chief Roderick Alba yesterday confirmed that Escorpion had been ordered by Montelibano to report to the Mayor's Office, since Thursday, to answer allegations that he had mauled a woman.

Alba said Escorpion told him the alleged incident took place after 2 p.m. yesterday.

He added that Montelibano denied the allegations of Escorpion.

Alba, however, said there was a "breach of protocol" committed by the mayor, by directly confronting Escorpion, and bypassing him. He also said Montelibano had apologized, saying he probably did it because of his eagerness to act on the complaint of the woman allegedly mauled by Escorpion.

Alba admitted that the relief of Escorpion was sought by Montelibano when he assumed office last month.

Alba said he has already informed Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, and is waiting further orders on what to do with Escorpion

Escorpion said he is now preparing his affidavits for filing criminal and administrative complaints against Montelibano before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Franco said he will order an investigation on the claims of Escorpion. Police records show that Escorpion is a known anti-drug crusader in Silay City. He was rewarded with a meritorious promotion in 2005 by then PNP chief Arturo Lomibao for his refusal to accept bribe money offered by a courier of an illegal gambling financier in Silay City.*GPB

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