'No shoot-to-kill order from BCDA'

MANILA, Philippines - The security agency tasked to protect government property in Camp John Hay yesterday tagged as “outrageous, alarmist and totally baseless” the statement of the security agency of Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has issued a “shoot to kill” order.

Placido Urbanes III, president of the Catalina Security Agency, said there was no such “shoot to kill” order from the BCDA,” as alleged by CJHDevCo’s Warbird Security and Investigation Agency.

“We were hired by the government to help protect personnel, property and facilities in Camp John Hay,” Urbanes said.

Catalina deploys security personnel to protect 625.4 hectares of government property in Camp John Hay, including the 301.9-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone and the 323.5-hectare forest reservation area.

Tension has risen after the BCDA terminated its contract with CJHDevCo. It has also ordered CJHDevCo to vacate John Hay and pay its outstanding obligations amounting to P3.077 billion.

BCDA chief Arnel Casanova said they are ready for a legal war. “I’m ready to face charges, it comes with the job,” he said.

Alfredo Yñiguez, chief executive officer of CJHDevCo, said they would file charges against Casanova for making “false representations to both the authorities involved and to the press about the real facts on the developments in Camp John Hay.”