Families and relatives of 48 inmates in Pulupandan pleaded for help yesterday from Mayor Magdaleno Peña saying that only the mayor can put an end to their ordeal.

In a press conference held at the Social Action Center of the Bacolod Diocese, the group expressed hopes that the mayor will hear their pleas and facilitate the immediate withdrawal of the charges against all accused.

They said their children have been traumatized and have stopped going to school. Some fell ill and they are at their wits' end on what to do.

Emmy Agonase, wife of one of the accused, said that Peña knows deep in his heart that most of those who are in Pulupandan jail right now are innocent.

She said she hopes that their appeal can soften Peña's heart and as the father of the town, he will advise the complainants to drop the charges.

In answer, Peña said he is willing to broker a dialog between the families of the accused and the complainants.

But while he can be their bridge, the mayor stressed that it was not he who caused their ordeal but Elda Mondia, wife of his political opponent Samson Mondia, who turned over to the jail 45 of the 187 accused.

Peña said that even if he wants to, he can not order the release of the inmates right now as it would be illegal for him to do so.

Going over what transpired last week, the mayor said that after the arrest of three Mondia supporters, he suggested to the police to go slow on the arrest of the others but Elda Mondia brought 45 of them to jail where the police booked them as inmates.

He also expressed disappointments with the Church and the provincial government who gave support to the accused and their families last week.

Peña said the bishop and the governor were silent when 26 of his supporters were jailed in May for five days after they took over the house of councilor Hedy Gonzales.

Fr. Regner Dequiña of the Social Action Center, who facilitated the press conference, said the Church is helping the families of the accused in their desire to be heard. He added that these families are defenseless and do not have the resources to defend themselves in the court.*NAB

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