Davao del Norte Police to strengthen case vs. Satur Ocampo, others

The Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office on Sunday said they will hold a meeting and gather more information to strengthen the case against former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and others.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office Director Ferlu J. Silvio said their police personnel will draft affidavits that can support their accusation against Ocampo.

“Magkakaroon po kami ng meeting para mapalakas pa ang kaso. Aming idadagdag, may mga affidavits na gagawin ang kapulisan para po mapalakas ang aming sinampang kaso,” Silvio said.

Human trafficking in relation with kidnapping, child abuse and failure to return a minor were the charges pressed against Ocampo, Silvio said.

On Saturday, Executive Judge Arlene Palabrica of the 11th judicial region ordered the release of Ocampo and others after they each posted an P80,000 bond. 

In a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Ocampo’s legal counsel Joel Mahinay said the police personnel tried to halt the release of Ocampo by bringing up arguments with the judge.

“They were saying that we are still under preliminary investigation at may mga charges pa raw na non-bailable,” Mahinay said.

The police argued with the judge that Ocampo should not be released on bail because human trafficking is a non-bailable offense.

“Nagbago po 'yun. Nagkaroon ng changes sa decision ni Judge Palabrica. Nilahat po 'yung kasong 'yun sa kanilang pag-bail. Kaya natagalan kasi mayroong oral argument na ginawa,” Silvio said.

However, Mahinay said the human trafficking charge has no probable cause, saying only the case on child abuse at the minimum has probable case.

“Wala, hindi 'yung human trafficking. If ever kung may probable cause, ito lang (Republic Act) 7610, 'yung bailable, 'yung child abuse na medyo light lang,” he said.

“May arguments sila. Siyempre ‘di pinayagan ng judge kasi para bang sila na nagde-decide,” Mahinay  said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News