ALL’s well that ends well in the mango theft case of an octogenarian that went viral after the 7th Municipal Circuit Court of  Asingan-San Manuel dismissed the case during his arraignment on February  8.

Lawyer James Fernandez of the Public Attorney’s Office in Urdaneta City and counsel for accused Leonardo “Lolo Narding” Flores, an 83-year-old resident of Barangay Bantog this town, told The PUNCH that his client entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment but apologized to the complainant, Robert Hong .

Fernandez said the apology was accepted by Hong who also submitted an affidavit of desistance, approved by the prosecutor after verifying that the complainant was not forced or intimidated.

After the dismissal of the case, the court ordered the release of the P6,000 bail posted for his temporary release.

Fernandez said Lolo Narding was happy and teary-eyed when the case was dismissed as he still recalled the ordeal he went through.  His fear of being arrested again occupied his mind throughout.

Hong, on the other hand, also heaved a big sigh of relief having experienced cyberbullying and threats from netizens. He no longer demanded payment for the “stolen” mangoes “but simply a sincere apology from  Flores.

Lolo Narding was arrested on January 13, 2022 based on a warrant issued by the court for “stealing 100 kilos of mangoes” from a neighbor’s tree on April 2021. His case went viral after Romel Aguilar, municipal information officer of Asingan town, posted his story over social media on January 13.

Lolo Narding was able to post bail on January 20 from donations among the local police.

Sympathy overflowed for Lolo Narding as netizens donated cash for his bail and for his personal use including a livelihood package from a showbiz personality after he was released from police custody.

With the case dismissed and both parties finding forgiveness, both Lolo Narding and Hong, found redemption. (Eva Visperas/Ahikam Pasion)

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