Foreigner fences Sta. Fe airstrip, shoos away “trespassing” mayor

CEBU, Philippines - The police arrested Saturday afternoon an Englishman after he allegedly started constructing a fence around the Sta. Fe airstrip in Bantayan island and claimed the facility as his own.

He allegedly also accused Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana, who arrived at the airstrip after learning of what Alexander was doing, of trespassing.

Christopher Paul Alexander, 44, was handcuffed after he erected the fence starting at the front of the airstrip and had four laborers put an “AIR BANTAYAN” sign near the fence.

Sta. Fe police said they received from Esgana a telephone call around 3 p.m. asking for assistance because Alexander and four persons were fencing the airstrip.

Senior Police Officer 4 Carlos Condino and Police Officer 3 Marino Cajes responded to the request and immediately went to where the airstrip is located in Barangay Ocoy.

Condino ang Cajes saw the then ongoing construction, with Alexander himself supervised.

At the scene, Esgana asked Alexander to show proof of his claim, but the foreigner allegedly disregarded the mayor.

Alexander allegedly even told Esgana that “you are trespassing my property,” right in front of the policemen and municipal employees present.

After he failed to show any documents proving his ownership of the airstrip, Condino and Cajes arrested Alexander and brought him to the police station, where he is currently being jailed.

Alexander will be charged with usurpation of real property, as the airstrip and the lot where it stands is owned by the Cebu Provincial Government.

Esgana said Governor Hilario Davide III is aware of what Alexander did because he immediately telephoned to inform him of what Alexander did.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega said what Alexander did was usurpation of the property.

“Mao to among gi-detain sa (That was why we had him detained at the) police station. Among gipangitaan og papeles, wa man siyay ikapakita (We asked for papers showing ownership of the property but he could not produce any),” Ortega told The FREEMAN.

Esgana said he would bring the matter to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office today for the filing of a criminal complaint against Alexander.  Esgana learned of the construction that same day.

“Nahibulong ko so misulod ko didto sa airstrip. Naabtan pa nako ang mga trabahador. Unya migawas siya, giingnan pa ko nga (I wondered why there was a construction so I got inside the airstrip.  I saw workers.  Then Alexander came and told me ‘this is my property, you are trespassing’,” the mayor said.

Esgana added he did not order the removal of the fence but only turned over the construction materials used to the police. — With a report from Michael Vencynth Braga/RHM (FREEMAN)