Tension filled the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Bacolod City yesterday as the Mondias of Pulupandan and Mayor Magdaleno Peña faced each other during the preliminary investigation of the case arising from the May 30, 2007 ambush on Peña.

Former Pulupandan mayor Luis Mondia, with sons Louie and Luis, brother Samson and other respondents in the case arrived early at the Prosecutor's Office while Peña arrived minutes before the proceedings started.

Members of the Regional Mobile Group were requested by the prosecutor to secure the place while Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco and Supt. Celestino Guarra were called in to attest under oath the report they submitted in connection with the case.

But even before the panel of prosecutors composed of Edgar Baylin, Consolacion Bascug, and Roger Tranquillo could present the counter affidavits of the respondents, Peña's counsel, Roem Arbolado, asked the court if the documents had been submitted on time.

He also said that the complainant was not furnished with most of the copies of the counter affidavits and the reports of Franco and Guarra.

A brief commotion interrupted the proceedings when Peña called the attention of the panel that Elda Mondia, Samson's wife, was taking pictures despite the prosecutor's earlier ruling.

Instead of turning over her cellular phone, Elda told the panel that one of Peña's men, Bongbong Maravalles blatantly took the pictures of the respondents while the proceedings was going on.

Peña also approached the respondents one by one and stared them down while he invited some of them to go back to Pulupandan to see the improvements he has initiated.

Meanwhile, one of the counsels of the respondents, Jovim Entila, said that what transpired yesterday was a clarificatory hearing and all the 36 counter affidavits they submitted were admitted by the panel.

The Prosecutor's Office gave the complainant 10 days to reply to the counter affidavits of the respondents who are facing complaints for murder on two counts, and frustrated murder on four counts.

On Oct. 1, 2007 , the National Bureau of Investigation filed the complaints against 41 persons allegedly involved in the ambush of Peña during which his bodyguards Ronnie Gegavine and Jose Morel Merced were killed.

Injured during the ambush was Peña, his nephew Gerany Suatengco, bodyguard Diego Anciano and Maravalles.

Peña said he saw the faces of his attackers and among them were the Mondias.

The Mondias on the other hand, said they are innocent of the charges against them.

Also named as respondents in the cases filed by the NBI are Barangay Captain Doroteo Vallejo of Canjusa, Barangay Captain Renato Dioso of Zone 4, Mario Treyes, Fritz Javier, Martin “Bong” Mata, Diego Malacad, Noel Occena, Arnel “Boy” Semillano, Robinson Galanza;

Allan Arellano, Joemarie Dalumpines, Gamay/Doring Jereza, Medardo Sayosa, Romeo Nanta alias Juanito Magbanua, Loggie Pabol, Fred Singapore, Ruben “Boy” Olvido, Renato Ronamo, Rogelio Montero, Bebong Biadora;

George Atillano, Jonel Española, Owa Española, Ronnie Fantonalgo, Marche Malapitan, Raul Calderon, Carlos Villanueva, Samuel Diamante, Clarence Española, Benjamin Atchura, Alberto Magdalera, Dioniso Dioso, Antonio Dichino, Arnel Castaneda and Genaro Animay.*NAB

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