Lapu brgy. captain's arrest brought to Guv's attention

Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong has brought to the attention of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the PB the arrest of Basak, Lapu-Lapu City barangay captain Isabelito Darnayla last Monday.

Maambong brought Darnayla and Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Eugene Espedido to the governor yesterday afternoon to raise the barangay captain's case.

Darnayla's arrest stemmed from his opposition to the construction of a drainage system project of the city government in his barangay that he claimed to be hazardous to his constituents.

"Why do you have to go to the extent of apprehending an elected official? As I said, I don't want to pre-judge. I just want to straighten the facts and I will advise the Provincial Board as well as the office of the governor that we should not repeat such an incident," Maambong told reporters.

Maambong said that if indeed the city government under Mayor Arturo Radaza is correct in saying that permits have been issued and the endorsements have been made for the project, then Darnayla may have committed something wrong.

But even so, Maambong said it was not the city government's business to apprehend the barangay captain.

As explained to him by Espedido, Maambong said the development plans for the project in barangay Basak have yet to be approved by the City Council.

The project was reportedly put on hold "because the consultant agreed with them that it might be harmful to the environment as well as to the livelihood."

"So if you have the questionable endorsement of the barangay, and it was put on hold by the City Council, definitely it will not reach us. So how can you have an ECC?" Maambong commented.

In his defense of Darnayla, Espedido said the barangay captain is not against the project since that is what they need. But the councilor said the wastewater of the drainage system would be disposed to the nearby Pilipog River where there are fishponds and several fishermen depending on the river for their livelihood.

"In trying to protect the people of Basak, he is just trying to exercise his duty under the Local Government Code. The people there are just against the potential damage of the marine life at the Pilipog River," Espedido said.

Darnayla, along with his councilman and a supporter, was arrested by police for allegedly preventing the implementation of the project in their village. He was then charged with sedition for leading his constituents to a rally against the project.

But Darnayla said he sees no reason for his arrest as he was just trying to protect the welfare of his constituents. The barangay captain and the other accused gained temporary liberty after posting bail. - Cristina C. Birondo