Ex-Cebu City administrator fights back, files charges over arrest

Local

ANOTHER episode in the feud between the current and former administrations at Cebu City Hall unfolded after former city administrator Collin Rosell accused Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and several officials of unlawfully detaining him.

Rosell filed multiple complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. His grievances stemmed from his controversial arrest earlier this month at Cebu City Hall.

Rosell alleged that his arrest on November 8 was marred by harassment, illegal confiscation of personal belongings, and procedural violations.

Based on documents obtained by MyTV Cebu, the complaints included charges of arbitrary detention, unlawful arrest, tumultuous disturbance, physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion, and malicious mischief.

He also cited violations of the New Philippine Passport Act, the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998, and the Anti-Child Abuse Act, as well as accusations of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and grave abuse of authority.

Rosell named Acting City Administrator Kristine Joyce Batucan, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Antonietto Cañete, Police Station 3 Chief Major John Lynbert Castigador Yango, and City Legal Office head Santiago Ortiz Jr., among others, as respondents. He sought damages and preventive suspension orders against them.

The former administrator’s arrest occurred inside the vacated mayor’s office at City Hall. CCPO personnel, led by Cañete, detained Rosell on charges of usurpation of authority and resisting arrest.

Rosell had earlier issued a memorandum declaring his return as city administrator, claiming that Michael Rama had resumed his position as mayor following the lapse of his six-month suspension.

Rosell has denied any wrongdoing and questioned the legitimacy of his arrest, which he described as a “warrantless arrest” carried out with the intent to harass and humiliate him.

He was detained overnight at Police Station 3 and released the following day after posting bail of P30,000 for usurpation of authority and P3,000 for resisting arrest.

According to Rosell, prosecutors were available at the time of his arrest, but no immediate charges were filed. He argued that the delay in filing the case against him was deliberate, further supporting his claim of arbitrary detention.

Rosell also criticized the confiscation of his personal belongings during the arrest, including his smartphone, credit cards, laptop, and passport.

He claimed that the loss of these items disrupted his ability to support his family, which includes his three children and six dependents from his extended family.

He said the withheld items remained in the possession of City Hall personnel and the CCPO, despite his repeated demands for their return.

The delay, he argued, has caused significant financial strain, which he linked to provisions under the Anti-Child Abuse Act.

Rosell described the situation as deeply troubling, stating that his ability to meet the needs of his dependents had been severely compromised by the confiscation of his financial tools.

Rosell and lawyer Mikel Rama, the son of former Mayor Michael Rama, reiterated that the elder Rama remains the rightful mayor of Cebu City.

They maintained that the dismissal and perpetual disqualification order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman had not been properly served.

Mikel asserted that the order’s validity depended on proof of service and proper documentation, which their camp has yet to receive.

He questioned the legitimacy of Mayor Garcia’s accession, which was based on a memorandum from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Leocadio Trovela.

The younger Rama also expressed skepticism about the circumstances under which the dismissal order was allegedly served, noting that past Ombudsman communications had been delivered directly to their residence.

This inconsistency, he argued, raised questions about the legality of Garcia’s assumption of office.

In response to Rosell’s claims, Garcia’s camp has filed a counter-complaint against him for usurpation of authority.

Batucan, as the acting city administrator, alleged that Rosell had improperly assumed her role through his memorandum.

Rosell dismissed these allegations as unfounded, asserting that he has yet to receive a formal copy of the complaint. He emphasized that his return to City Hall, like that of other officials under the Rama administration, was predicated on the elder Rama’s resumption of office.(MyTVCebu)