Rota police serve summons on ex-Rota mayor, co-defendants

Melchor A. Mendiola

Rota police have served the penal summons on former Rota mayor Melchor A. Mendiola and three other former Rota municipal employees in connection with corruption charges filed against them.

A Rota police detective served the penal summons on Mendiola and co-defendants Tina Atalig, Alfred Apatang, and Bernard Apatang on Rota on Thursday night.

Police have yet to serve the penal summons on defendant Stacey Atalig.

Superior Court clerk of court Patrick V. Diaz issued the penal summons last Jan. 12 for Mendiola and the four co-defendants to appear for the arraignment at Rota courtroom this Friday, March 4, at 10:30am, with respect to the information.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho will preside over the arraignment.

The information charged Mendiola and co-defendants each with possession or removal of government property offense.

The items alleged to have taken in this case care are four laptops with values ranging from $975 to $2,049, as well as nine picnic tables.

According to the information, Mendiola allegedly unlawfully took nine picnic tables belonging to the Rota Mayor’s Office between September 2014 and Feb. 26, 2015 on Rota.

Tina Atalig allegedly unlawfully took one Toshiba Satellite laptop belonging to the Rota Mayor’s Office between September 2014 and Feb. 26, 2015 on Rota. She is the former secretary of Mendiola.

Alfred Apatang allegedly unlawfully took one Toshiba Satellite laptop owned by the Rota Mayor’s Office between September 2014 and Feb. 27, 2015 on Rota. He is the former field supervisor of Mendiola.

Bernard Apatang allegedly unlawfully took one Toshiba Satellite laptop owned by Rota Finance Office between September 2014 and Feb. 27, 2015 on Rota.

Stacey Atalig allegedly unlawfully took one Toshiba Tecra laptop belonging to Rota Office of Finance between September 2014 and March 2015 on Rota. She is a former Rota Finance resident director.

Office of Public Auditor Task Force officer JB K. Cepeda stated in his report that they initiated the investigation after receiving a letter from Rota Mayor Efrain M. Atalig, requesting assistance to investigate into Mendiola’s questionable transactions.

Cepeda said Atalig apparently discovered the government properties such as computer laptops, folding tables, typewriter, and other items were unaccounted for or missing.