Barangay chief accuses Loot of being behind "water terrorism"

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay captain in Daanbantayan town has accused Mayor Maria Luisa Loot as being behind the “water terrorism” in Barangay Bateria, which reportedly affected 50 households.

Barangay Captain Arsenio Luciano told the media yesterday that residents in the barangay have to travel about a kilometer to the neighboring barangay in order to get water for their daily consumption.

Luciano went to Capitol yesterday to air his sentiments to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

He said the “patubig,” the primary source of water in the barangay, was owned by the barangay since 1969, Loot allegedly was trying to control its system of distribution to different households.

“Iyang mga tao na ang nagduma sa patubig karon bisan ang barangay ang nag-manage ug nag-maintain sa operation sukad sauna kay ganahan siya mubali mi sa iyang kampo. Pamutlan gani niya ug connection ang mga tao nga magpasag-ob sa mga taga pikas kampo,” Luciano said.

Loot, for her part, quickly denied the allegations, saying Luciano is just grabbing the opportunity with the ongoing conflict between her and the governor.

“He just grabbed the opportunity kay nagkalalis mi ni Gwen kay nisakay siya sa panahon. Before we filed an administrative case against him, karon criminal case na jud akong i-file against niya ugma dayon,” Loot told The FREEMAN.

Loot said she will refer the matter to the Commission on Audit, as former mayor Sun Shimura said earlier that the right agency to handle the “patubig” is the municipality since the barangay cannot afford its maintenance.

The municipal council had suspended Luciano for 30 months for alleged corruption and abuse of authority, but Luciano said the same did not have basis.

The governor, for her part, said Luciano’s appeal was never forwarded to the proper committee of the municipal council.

“Karon pa’ko kadungog ug suspension nga 30 months. Kanang appeal on 30 months suspension nga usually six months suspension ra man na unless siguro suspended for life,” she said.

She said the province will look into the matter squarely.

“Regardless of political affiliation, everyone deserves fair treatment. Above all, the good of the majority must prevail kay kana lang pag-pundo ug tubig, it is already a health risk,” Garcia said. (FREEMAN)