Leyte 4th District Congressman Richard Gomez and others are facing charges of Conspiracy for Grave Coercion and Grave Threat following a complaint filed on Wednesday, October 23, before the Office of the Prosecutor in Palompon, Leyte.
The complaint was filed by Darlito Sevilla Nuñez, who alleged that in September 2024, 10 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) officers pressured him into signing a Sworn Affidavit implicating former Congressman Vicente Ching Veloso as the mastermind behind the 2016 murder of his brother, Anthony Nuñez.
Nuñez claimed he was offered residence in Manila with 24-hour security and Php 5 million in exchange for his statement. He declined the offer but was informed that it was a directive from CIDG-8's Regional Head.
Fearing for his safety, Nuñez sought the help of Barangay Captain Albert Morilla of Manlawaan, Tabango, Leyte, who facilitated the filing of charges through a Special Power of Attorney for Conspiracy for Grave Coercion, Grave Threat, and related violations.
LOOK: Leyte 4th District Congressman Richard Gomez sinampahan ng kasong Conspiracy for Grave Coercion at grave threat sa Prosecutor’s Office | RH29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/7cfcXHZCck
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 24, 2024
The said cases were laid against the following:
- Cong. Richard Gomez
- Mayor Bernard Jonathan ‘Benjo’ Remandaban
- Atty. Rem Veloso
- Pems Samson Picardal
- Patrolman Fernando Songalia Jr.
- eight other John Does
- PCol. Arwin Tadeo, the Regional Director of the CIDG Regional Office 8 in Tacloban City and Ormoc City.
Additionally, Nuñez’s daughter, Aida Nuñez, also said that she was asked to meet Mayor Remandaban twice in August and September 2024. The Mayor offered her Php 1 million and Php 5 million respectively, as payment for her father's execution of a Sworn Affidavit.
In the document submitted, it was noted that the case was filed before the Barangay Captain of Manlawaan, Tabango, Leyte, Albert Morilla. He said that Nuñez asked for his help regarding the matter.
Aida also stated that Gomez will pay the amount and will be taking care of everything for her and her family. However, she and her family rejected the offers of all the mentioned officials, despite the repeated messaging
