Ombudsman suspends Danao village chief

Local

A BARANGAY captain in Danao City will spend a year without pay after the Office of the Ombudsman found him guilty of physically assaulting two barangay tanods during a village meeting last April.

Taboc Barangay Captain Celestino Durano Sybico III was suspended for simple misconduct and oppression, according to the decision signed on Dec. 5, 2025.

The complaint, filed on May 6, 2025, by then Mayor Thomas Mark Durano, alleged that Sybico “inflicted physical injuries to barangay tanods Jonaldo Castillo and Editho Mangas, Jr.” while they were serving a subpoena to resident Irene Casas.

According to the Ombudsman decision, “respondent suddenly approached Castillo and Mangas in an agitated manner… Castillo's uniform was torn… Castillo, thereafter, felt respondent kicking him… respondent punched him in the lower hip… respondent also struck Mangas with a mineral water bottle on his right shoulder.”

Sybico denied the allegations, claiming the complaint was hearsay and politically motivated.

He said he only approached the tanods to verify their identities and check if they were carrying weapons, observing that “the two men…were not wearing uniforms” and that he exercised “utmost restraint and professionalism."

In a Facebook post on Jan. 30, 2026, Sybico stated that he was not inclined to resort to violence, especially during elections, and confirmed that the Ombudsman had already issued his one-year suspension without pay.

He added that he would continue assisting and serving the residents of Barangay Taboc.

Durano, at the time he filed the complaint in April 2025, emphasized that protecting the community from abuses of authority was his priority.

“Dili nato tugotan nga ang mga opisyal sa barangay, nga gitahasan nga magserbisyo, maoy mahimong hulga sa ilang kaugalingong katawhan. Wala’y labaw sa balaod. Wala’y opisyal nga pwede molabaw sa hustisya," he said.

He also commended the tanods for showing courage and restraint during the incident.

The Ombudsman dismissed the administrative complaint against Sybico for violating R.A. No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials), stating that “failure to abide by the norms of conduct under Section 4 of R.A. No. 6713 is not a ground for administrative disciplinary action."

However, it found substantial evidence for Misconduct and Oppression, noting that Sybico “wrongfully inflicted bodily harm against Castillo and Manga."

The Office imposed the maximum penalty of one-year suspension without pay on Sybico.

It also ruled that if he separates from service, the suspension would be converted into a fine equivalent to one year’s salary, which could be deducted from his retirement benefits, accrued leave credits, or other receivables.(MyTVCebu)