Brgy capt, 2 councilors, six tanods arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay captain, two of his councilors, six barangay tanods, and a plumber are now detained at the San Fernando police stockade for malicious mischief after allegedly cutting the water pipes in the barangay.

Those who were arrested by the police around 11:35 in the morning yesterday were Balud barangay captain Reliso Enad, his wife, barangay councilor Lolita Enad, and Hon. Arcadio Bacasmas.

The barangay tanods are Manuel Abellana, Reynaldo Basmayor, Joel Abellana, Apolonio Bonghanoy, Fedilito Opada, Doroteo Yoco, and the plumber, Hector Hermosa.

Their arrest was by virtue of arrest warrant for malicious mischief signed by Judge Glenda Go of the Municipal Trial Court in San Fernando.

The case was filed last year by Enginner Ignacio Pagalan of the Municipal Planning Development Council (MPDC) but the warrant was released in court last May 2, 2012.

Aside from the malicious mischief another charges for theft was also filed against them but it was dismissed by the court.

The conflict started when Pagalan installed water pipes for the barangays of Tongo and Balud last August.

Reliso reportedly got mad when Pagalan failed to inform his office about the project which prompted him to call Abelardo Suico to stop the installation for he needed to talk to Pagalan about the matter first.

Suico’s team reportedly continued to install the pipes the next day.

Reliso cited Section 27 of RA 7160 stating that “No project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless the consultations mentioned in Section 2 (c) and 26 hereof are complied with… provided that occupants in areas where such project are to be implemented shall not be evicted unless appropriate relocation sites have been provided…”

Acting on the said provision, Reliso called Hermosa to disconnect the water pipes.

Reliso claimed that politics was behind the incident.

“Surely there is politics here,” Reliso told The FREEMAN.

Those who were arrested are expected to post bail today.  (FREEMAN)