Corro cries water terrorism

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan mayoralty candidate Augusto Corro has accused incumbent Mayor Sun Shimura and his mother, Vice Mayor Maria Luisa Loot, of alleged water terrorism after failing to convince the people to support them.

Corro, in a press statement furnished to The FREEMAN, said that the water supply in barangay Bateria was disconnected by Shimura.

“The water concessionaries complained that their connection was illegally disconnected by Loot (Shimura) because they want change in the government administration,” he said.

As of last Tuesday, there were about 50 households disconnected from the water system operated by the Barangay Waterworks Management. According to Corro, disconnection activities have been ongoing for the last three days.

Corro said that one of his supporters, Mamerto Pino, tried to oppose the disconnection but ended up being arrested by the police.

“The people have had enough of the Loots who held on to power even if they have been rejected by the people in the last elections. Their actions show how abusive the Loots are and are willing to disregard the law just to protect their interest,” Corro said.

He said that the Loots can afford to abuse the will of the people because of the backing of Senior Supt. Vicente Loot, a ranking official of the Police Regional Office-7.

“As duly elected mayor of Daanbantayan, I refuse to fool the people of Daanbantayan by entering into a so-called peace covenant initiated by the police and the Comelec. Who can trust that peace covenant when the police are blatantly showing partiality under the command of Loot,” he said.

Shimura, when sought for comment, said that Corro was just trying to make an issue against him and his family.

He admitted having ordered water disconnection but said it was done after due process. Shimura said there was nothing political in it because those who have been disconnected with their water supply have not paid their monthly obligation to the water system despite the notices given to them.

The mayor told The FREEMAN that a month prior to the disconnection the households were already given an advance notice. Shimura added that another follow-up notice is given six days before the actual disconnection.  (FREEMAN NEWS)