THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension for three months of Mayor Ronald Allan G. Cesante of Dalaguete, Cebu and seven other town officials for neglect of duty arising from the sinking of a boat that was under the local government’s custody. Investigation showed that the fishing boat was in the custody of respondents after it was seized for violation of the Fisheries Code. On Nov. 26, 2014, during the onslaught of typhoon Queen, the boat sank despite persistent pleas and requests to relocate the boat to a safer location by the owners Rusell and Jowleyn Heredia. According to the Ombudsman, “the record establishes respondents’ failure to preserve the vessel seized. Despite repeated requests to transfer the vessel to a safer location amidst the coming typhoon, the respondents have the complainants the run-around to avoid the responsibility of giving the clearance to move the vessel.” The seven others who were found guilty of simple misconduct and neglect of duty were Municipal Administrator Rydal Cisneros, Chief of Police Clito Pia, Division Head Almar Villahermosa, Agricultural Technician Juana Tangpos, Peter Bejarasco, Municipal Deputy Fish Wardens Felipe Calisang and Juan Millan.

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