By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two individuals surfaced over the weekend to clarify the ‘ambush me’ allegations against Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña.

Ma. Theresa Gegavine of Hinigaran earlier filed an affidavit in order to clarify allegations made by Marianie Salazar Javelosa regarding the May 30, 2007 ambush on the mayor.

Gegavine identified herself as the wife of Peña’s driver, Ronnie, who was killed in the said ambush.

She acknowledged Javelosa as the niece of her late husband and accused her being a drug addict and “promiscuous woman.”

Gegavine went on to call Javelosa’s allegations “baseless” and claimed she is being used by Police Sergeant Joshua Barile and Police Lieutenant Colonel Antonieto Cañete.

“It is not true that my husband is the hitman of Mayor Peña,” Gegavine said.

She pointed out her husband was recently hired by Peña and worked for around three months before he was killed.

“Javelosa’s statements against the mayor [are] made up in order to pin him down for a case build-up and destroy his reputation,” Gegavine asserted.

Meanwhile, she said, last May, Javelosa called her to arrange a meeting with Barile at a convenience store in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alijis. During the meeting, she was told to execute an affidavit and claim the incident was an “ambush me” in exchange for a P20,000 monthly allowance and admission into the government’s witness protection program.

“I cannot fabricate stories against the mayor just to please Barile or get his money,” Gegavine added.

In a separate interview with Javelosa’s ex-husband, Carmelo John, he corroborated Gegavine’s allegations against Javelosa, stating, she was a heavy drug user and engages in promiscuous behavior, which was the primary reason for their fights and eventual separation.

“Our relationship did not even last a year,” he said.

He also accused Javelosa of having a relationship with Barile and Cañete.

“Whatever she says in the media is not true,” the ex-husband said.

Carmelo John, who was recently released after being acquitted of illegal drugs charges, said he discovered the alleged relationships after being released from prison.

He added, Javelosa was also involved in selling illegal drugs.

“I also believe she is just being used by the two policemen,” the ex-husband added./DGB, WDJ