3 Mahiga locals nabbed during clearing

CEBU, Philippines –  Three persons were arrested during the clearing operations yesterday in Mahiga Creek in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City for allegedly harassing the police and the members of the clearing team.

Police Senior Inspector Miguel Andeza, chief of Subangdaku Police Station, said a woman, identified as Florencia Villaceran, 45, attempted to smack him with a softdrink bottle past 9 a.m. yesterday. Because of the incident, the police were forced to arrest Villaceran, who has been a resident in the area for 35 years now.

"Atong (gipatuman) atong maximum tolerance. Atong gibadlong, ang resulta ako na hinoo'y gi-harass pud. Giaksyonan ko'g bunal og botilya," Andeza said.

However, Villaceran belied the allegations saying she only got hold of the bottle because of fright.

"Mao ra'g nakalitan ko ba, unya nakakuha dayon ko'g botilya diha sa akong tungod," Villaceran said.

Villaceran also said she was feeling down during the incident as her granddaughter died because of dengue. The 10-month-old baby girl's wake was still being  held near the creek.

Villaceran was asking the city government to let her family stay in Mahiga  until the child's burial on Thursday.

"Nihangyo unta mi nga hatagan mi og tulo ka adlaw nga extension, pero  padayunon man gyud siguro nila ang clearing (operations)," Villaceran said.

Moments after Villaceran was arrested, two other men were also arrested for allegedly harassing a member of the clearing team.

Danny Juv Pestaño, 25, said the clearing operations were being held in rash, which is "unacceptable." He said he and his cousin, who was also arrested, were only fighting for their rights.

"Ang ilang gibuhat, mao ra'g harass ra ba. Gidiretso-diretso nila... Asa man mi papuy-on nila?" Pestaño said.

Pestaño also said the residents in Mahiga only want for a better relocation site other than the one prepared by the Mandaue City government. He said they are seeking for an area safer than the 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan which allegedly is a "danger zone."

Pestaño and the other two arrested persons are now detained at Subangdaku Police Station.

The police are expected to file charges against the three for disobedience, resistance, and unjust vexation.

Police personnel also advised the residents to never harass the members of the clearing team to avoid being arrested.

"Everytime nga naa'y magtrabaho, unya magsamok-samok sila, we will arrest them," Andeza said.