For initiating a probe into illegal drug trade and extra-judicial killings in Zamboanga del Norte, a former congressman has become the target of political persecution and is now facing arrest for a non-bailable offense.
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Jr. said his younger brother, former Rep. Zeth “Bullit” Jalosjos is now facing serious illegal detention charge where the victims have already testified in court that the crime never happened.
Jalosjos said the motive behind the filing of the case is beyond just local politics, claiming that this was the result of his brother’s anti-drug crusade during his term as member of the House of Representatives.
“What happened to Bullit now is clearly narcopolitics in action,” said the incumbent solon.
An arrest warrant was issued last month by Regional Trial Court Judge Rene Dondoyano against Bullit Jalosjos, Allan Jalosjos and seven others allegedly behind the kidnaping of one Milagros Cerilles prior to the 2019 elections where the former solon ran for governor.
In his privilege speech, Jalosjos said another alleged kidnaping victim was Rosita Jalosjos, their aunt.
According to the lawmaker, they have asked the Departmetn of Justice to review the resolution filed by the assigned investigating prosecutor, pointing out that the two victims have previously cleared the accused when they earlier testified in a habeas corpus case in court.
“This is not a case of prosecution but a clear case of persecution,” he stressed.
The incumbent congressman claimed his brother is being persecuted for his anti-drug crusade during his term as congressman.
He recalled that Bullit Jalosjos initiated an investigation into cases of extra judicial killings in Zamboanga del Norte that were linked to illegal drug activities in the province.
A congrressional probe conducted into the killings resulted in the approval of a House resolution asking the Department of Justice and the National Burreau of Investigation to take action by prosecuting personalities behind the killings.
The House Committee on Justice was tasked to conduct a new inquiry into the cases in order to determine what action the DOJ and the NBI have taken so far in prosecuting those involved in the killings.