Triumph of Innocence: Released Village Chairman Ready to Assume Office After Charges Dismissed

 A village chairman, elected during last October's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections while incarcerated, was released on Thursday after the local court in Cotabato City dismissed charges of murder and frustrated murder against him.

Expressing gratitude, Akmad Urak, elected chairperson of Barangay Tamontaka 1, Cotabato City, emphasized his innocence from the outset and attributed the charges to political motives. Alongside seven others, Urak was released from the city jail.

Despite his detention, Urak actively campaigned and triumphed over two other candidates. Lawyer Asgar Mandal, Urak's legal counsel, informed reporters on Friday that all charges, including two counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and two counts of attempted murder, were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Mandal stated that Urak is now free to assume office at any time. Emotional upon leaving the detention facility that had been his temporary home since August, Urak reiterated his innocence and expressed gratitude for the court's decision.

Even before the issuance of the arrest warrant in August by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27, Cotabato City, Urak and his co-accused voluntarily surrendered to Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao. Following the village polls on October 30, Rex Adam, the elected No. 1 councilman, temporarily assumed the role of acting chairperson for Barangay Tamontaka 1, pledging to step down once Chairman Urak formally takes office.