Tensions flare in Compostela: Townfolk take municipal hall

CEBU, Philippines - Operation of the already beleaguered Compostela municipal hall was shut down yesterday when close to a thousand supporters of Mayor-elect Joel Quiño trooped to the building one year after the elections that is yet to be resolved in this northern town.

Officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) were still negotiating with Quiño for his group to leave the building as of 8 o’clock last night.

Quiño was proclaimed winner of the May 11, 2010 elections, but the result of such was contested by Ritchie Wagas, who ran for reelection as mayor, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled that nobody will be allowed to hold the seat of power yet until the protest is resolved.

Quiño’s proclamation as winner in last year’s polls was ordered annulled by Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.

Quiño and his supporters forced their way into the municipal hall yesterday in what they said was a statement to show their disgust on the failure of the Comelec to resolve the results of the polls, which has affected the delivery of basic services in the town.

Quiño along with vice mayor Nenette Dangoy and the members of the municipal council hope that the Comelec En Banc would listen to the sentiments of the people of their town.

They also asked DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to intervene in the problem of Compostela.

Cabadiangan barangay captain Mario Paradiang said the supporters of Quiño coming from the different barangays complained over the failure of the municipal government to deliver basic services due to the absence of a mayor, vice mayor and members of the municipal council. Not one elected official in the May 2010 polls has been allowed to assume office.

Paradiang said its exactly one year after the May 11 elections, but the Comelec en Banc failed to settle the problems in Compostela.

Paradiang said some of the barangay captains sympathize with the people, who are now affected.

“Grabe na kayo ang problema sa Lungsod sa Compostela, apan ang atong mga opisyal sa DILG, ug Comelec wala gayud muhatag sa pagtagad niini,” said Paradiang.

According to Paradiang, the people of Compostela have been united because of the problems they are facing.

“Karon dili ka muingon nga Quiño ka nga grupo o ba kaha Wagas ka nga grupo, kon dili ang katawhan na maoy mibarog aron mapaabot ang ilang yangongo,” said Paradiang.

At 8 a.m. yesterday, as mass officiated by Father Emmanuel Non, who lambasted the Comelec for failing to immediately resolve the issues in the town.

The people who went to the municipal hall also carried placards expressing their disgust on the Comelec.

Some supporters forced their way into the municipal hall by using a hammer to pry open the padlock.

Quiño arrived at the building moments later with some supporters and entered the municipal hall.

He told reporters that he is willing to face any consequence because of his action.

Police Sr. Insp. Rodrigo Giangan chief of the town’s force, prevented other supporters from entering the building and also invited Quiño to the station.

Quiño said, “Magpa posas lang ko if ipugos nila nga mukanaog ko dinhi.”

Giangan said he was instructed by Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Commendador to invite Quino to the police station, but Quiño refused.

Minutes later, Vice Mayor Dangoy and the elected councilors arrived at the municipal hall to support Quiño.

They expressed their willingness to join Quino in prison if it is what it takes to get the attention of the top officials to the plight of their town.

Commendador sent additional police personnel to Compostela to augment the town’s force.

Giangan said they are now conducting investigation to identify the persons who forced open the municipal hall.

DILG Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales arrived at the municipal hall at 2 p.m. and called for a dialog with Quiño and his councilors. He tried to convince Quiño to vacate the municipal hall, but the latter refused.

Quiño said they will vacate after the Comelec will resolve the case.

Gonzales said he sympathizes with Quiño and hopes the Comelec will resolve the problem in Compostela.

He admitted that he encountered problems as caretaker of the town.

THEY CAN’T SIT YET

Both the Comelec and the DILG have said that Quiño and the other elected officials of the municipality cannot yet assume their posts.

Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said Quiño and other officials can be held liable for usurpation of authority if they force to get into the town hall to assume their post.

Castillano said the Comelec has yet to proclaim the winners of the last elections, because the case is still pending before the Commission Second Division.

The Comelec has ordered the Municipal Board of Canvassers to reconvene, but Wagas’ camp was able to file motion for reconsideration.

Castillano said that the situation in Compostela is now in the hands of the DILG, whose provincial director, Jerome Gonzales has been named as the town’s caretaker.

DILG-7 regional director Pedro Noval, Jr. has instructed the town’s police with the assistance from the Cebu Provincial Police Office to maintain peace and order and enforce whatever applicable laws.

Like Castillano, Noval also said that there is no legal basis for Quiño to take over the town hall.

Noval said the police may physically pull out Quiño and other officials if they force to take over the town hall.

Aware of what has happened yesterday, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the group cannot be blamed for expressing frustration for the slow resolution of the case.

“In fact, this delay has already negatively affected the delivery of basic services and even the administering the affairs of the town,” Garcia said.

Garcia has called on the people to be calm and not make the situation any much worst than it is already now.— with Gregg P. Rubio, Ria Mae Y. Booc and Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ (FREEMAN)