Tension high at private lot

CEBU, Philippines - Tension was high in a private estate yesterday morning in barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City, as a lawyer, his two relatives, backed by armed security guards, attempted to evict residents there.

Authorities however arrived before violence could erupt.

Reynaldo Yunting and Manuel Borromeo Yunting, both 60 years old, who claim ownership of lots 1, 49, and 59 which total to 1.8 hectares, accused Peter Lim Sesbreño and his cousin SFO1 Ramiro Sesbreño of pointing a handgun and a shotgun at them.

Peter is the regional manager of Millgos Security Agency, while SFO1 Ramiro is with the Bureau of Fire Protection-Talisay City.

The two however denied the allegation saying they were only protecting lawyer Raul Sesbreño, who also claims to own the property and father of Peter, after reportedly receiving threats on his life.

Ramiro said he has been on leave from his job since March 2, and will return to work tomorrow.

Sesbreño, for his part, has hired three blue guards: Orlando Booc Fernandez, Ay-ay Gawilan Cabontan, and Donato Bayanban to watch the place.

However, yesterday, the three scampered away when the police arrived in the area.

They were reportedly armed with a .38 caliber revolver each, with five bullets.

Ernesto Millanes, general manager of Millgos Security Agency, admitted that the license of three guards have already expired, but are being renewed.

Meanwhile, lawyer Sesbreño and Peter were armed with a .45 caliber pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun, and another .45 caliber pistol.

Meanwhile, PO3 Mikie Espina said the three .38 caliber revolvers are owned by Millgos Security Agency and that they have complete documents, like the handguns of the Sesbreños.

Inspector Ricardo Echavez of the Talisay City Police Station said that for the time being they would detain the three blue guards while they are still checking the guns to find out whether these have permits issued by the Firearms Explosive Security Agency Guard Supervision (FESAGS).

Atty. Sesbreño explained that he has become co-owner of the controversial lots after he became the legal counsel of the owners' heirs: Jose Cuenco Borromeo, Jose Horazaga Borromeo and Miranda Talam.

He said the lot he now claims his was his attorney's fee.

But the residents of the lots who claim the real heirs to the property said the lawyer has failed to show a court order or writ of eviction which would tell that they would have to vacate the area.

Sesbreño however maintained that the court has already issued a court decision ordering them to leave the lots in question.

The lawyer showed to the media a copy of the resolution promulgated last January 20, 2011 by Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 5 Judge Douglas Marigomen. The lawyer has however failed to produce a writ of eviction as of yesterday afternoon. (FREEMAN)