Cop who ‘stalled’ Capitol operation risks facing raps

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol’s Real Properties Protection Task Force is seeking for legal intervention into the action of a Cebu City policeman who allegedly hampered the group’s operation in Barangay Apas last Monday.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, chief of the Squatting Prevention and Demolition Division, has sought the help of Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega after the policeman allegedly stopped the group from demolishing his vehicle shop, which stands on a lot owned by the provincial government allegedly without permission.

The Freeman is withholding the name of the policeman pending his side of the story.

Madrigal said they showed the cop politely a copy of the document that authorizes them to dismantle his structure but the policeman allegedly did not give in.

“Nasuko. Nagmagahi gyod. Nagyawyaw pod iyang asawa. Nagminaayo pa gani mi sa among tinguha karon sila pay nagmagahi… mao pay naghimo og illegal… gibadlong nato apan nagpadayon gihapon,” Madrigal said.

The vehicle shop, which hasn’t been built completely, reportedly serves as an extension of the policeman’s house. The house also sits on the five-hectare province-owned lot but Madrigal said a court order is needed to demolish the same.

“Skeletal structure pa man siya so mao pay atong giguba. Katong iyang balay kay naa na may nagpuyo kinahanglan pa man og court order aron ma-demolish,” he said.

Madrigal said they asked the cop to move the vehicles out of the shop so that the structure could be demolished but the policeman refused and even parked more vehicles therein.

“Karon buntag, gibutangan na pod niyag mga sakyanan. Di mi makabungkag kay naay mga sakyanan,” Madrigal said yesterday.

The provincial legal office is assessing the legal action to take against the policeman. The Freeman contacted the policeman at the station he is assigned to but he was not there yesterday. The Freeman was also told he does not own a mobile phone. (FREEMAN)