Mayor’s backers barricade port

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is mulling the filing of charges against a mayor’s followers who have barricaded the main gate of the Matnog port in Sorsogon since Wednesday.

The move by the supporters of Mayor Guillermo So has forced the PPA to transfer port services to the adjoining town of Bulan, about 29 kilometers from Matnog, according to port operations manager Rene Agao.

Reports said So’s supporters staged a rally along the road leading to the Matnog port’s gate at about 4 p.m. last Monday, and then proceeded to padlock the gate.

They, however, allowed Manila-bound vehicles from Allen, Samar to pass through.

The group is protesting the continued operation of the Sorsogon Terminal Arrastre Services Corp., which is reportedly owned by So’s political rival, former mayor Emilio Ubaldo.

"Mayor So wants a new bidding for the arrastre service at the port," Agao said.

Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee reportedly went to Matnog yesterday and even allegedly encouraged the picket to continue.

Agao said the PPA earns about P98,000 daily at the Matnog port. — Celso Amo, Nestor Etolle