The security guard from the security agency hired by Richli Water has filed a case against Balilihan mayor Pureza Chatto, Sto. Niño barangay officials and tanods in relation to the road clearing operation conducted in the area leading to Bugwak Spring on Nov. 25, 2021.
As this developed, the local chief executive of Balilihan is undaunted and remains steadfast in her stand.
The title page of the complaint filed by a certain Jeffrey Ipong was shown to reporters by Richli Water chairman Richard Lim in a press conference on Dec. 4, 2021 at the Eskaya Resort in Panglao town.
Named as respondents in the complaint are Chatto and Sto. Niño barangay captain Migronio Camanzo.
Moreover, the complainant also filed a case against barangay kagawads Rogello Mancha, Arcelie Acuna, Teofilo Ambojot Jr., Lourdes Blanco, Jhonrey Calamba, Maricel Agpawa, and Joseph Suarez.
The barangay tanods are also named as respondents in the complaint. They are Renelove Sabares, Eluterio Dogoy, Richard Sigumpan and Odong Villacorte.
Ipong filed a case of grave coercion, under the Revised Penal Code, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct, and grave abuse of authority against the respondents.
Lim, who said the complaint was filed on Dec. 3, 2021, did not show the rest of document to the media.
The Richli Water chairman said that other cases will be filed in the next few days against the local government unit (LGU) and barangay officials.
The issue stems from the allegation that what the LGU and barangay officials did on Nov. 25, 2021 was illegal. The officials and the tanod implemented the order coming from the barangay captain to remove the barricade that was placed by Richli Water on the road in Sto. Niño leading to Bugwak Spring.
CONTENTIONS
Richli Water published its position on the issue on page 12.
The LGU, led by Chatto, also has its stand published on page 12A & 12B.
REACTION
The Bohol Tribune reached out to Balilihan mayor Chatto for her comments on the case filed against her, the barangay officials and tanods in relation to the incident on Nov. 25, 2021.
Chatto maintained that what the barangay officials did is part of their mandate to clear road obstructions, an order coming from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“It was the barangay ang nag order sa road clearing,” Chatto said in a telephone interview last night, Dec. 4, 2021.
She said her presence during the removal of the barricade was to show support to the barangay officials and tanods who implemented the order.
“Wala ko mutabang ana kay dili nako trabaho ug muguba ug gate. Igo lang ko niadto ug ni-witness [sa road clearing],” the mayor told The Bohol Tribune.
“The road clearing was peacefully conducted. The memo order of the barangay captain was read by a barangay kagawad. The guard understood the order but refused to sign. Then, the chief of police [Lt. Yolando Bagotchay] read the memo from the PNP [Philippine National Police] Region 7 which the guard received. The barangay captain talked to the guard explaining further the road clearing. I assured the guard that way mahitabo nimo mutan-aw lang siya sa daplin, mag record ug mu report sa iyang boss otherwise, he won’t be paid,” Chatto quipped.
In a separate message, Chatto slammed the allegation that she and the barangay officials committed coercion on the security guard detailed at the site.
“Asa man ang coercion adto? Manggamit lang jud siya [referring to Lim] ug tawo, luoy pud ang security guard nga maoy iyang pa file-on ug reklamo,” the mayor quipped.
BACKGROUND
Richli Water on Nov. 17, 2021 placed a barricade on the road, which it claims as part of a private property and the LGU claims, per documents it has in its possession, a barangay road.
Richli Water maintains that it would allow the pipes of the LGU waterworks system to pass through the area which is identified by the LGU as a barangay road for free. The condition is that the LGU and Richli Water will forge a memorandum of agreement that the water that will be extracted by the former from Bugwak Spring will be for the sole use of Balilihan residents and will not be sold to another water development company, the Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI).
The LGU Balilihan obtained a conditional water permit from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to develop its waterworks system and one of the water sources is the water from the surface water near Bugwak Spring.
The LGU crafted a 25-year Water Master Plan and started to develop the water source in 2020 after the NWRB granted the LGU a CWP.
REASON FOR DECLINING THE MOA
Chatto in a telephone interview said that she will not enter into an agreement with Richli Water because she may end up seen favoring one private company and could face charges before the Ombudsman
Besides, Chatto said, she has no authority to enter into an agreement.
“Ang gusto niya [Richli Water] mo enter mi into an agreement nga dili nako ibaligya ang tubig sa Bugwak. Ang Bugwak dili mana sa LGU, adto mana sa State. That is why, kami guato namu mugamit sa tubig sa Bugwak namanghid mi sa NWRB,” Chatto explained.
“It would appear, kun mo-enter ko ug MOA sa usa ka private entity or corporation, it would appear I am favoring a private corporation,” she said.
The mayor insists that the area in question is a barangay road, which Richli Water claims as part of a private property.
“Wala pa nila [Richli Water] na palit ang yuta [of the Pajutas] naa na ang baramgay road.
DEED OF DONATION PROOF
A certain Feliciana Pajuta-Libut, the daughter of Tomasa Pajuta who was given a special power of attorney wrote a letter to Cong. Edgar Chatto dated Dec. 1, 2021.
In the letter, Pajuta-Libut said the titling of Lot No. 23228 is pending due to the protest of Bohol 1 Electric Cooperative (Boheco 1).
Boheco 1 maintains its power plant is located in the lot allegedly donated by the Chattos. This information is reflected in Boheco 1’s coffee table book.
As this developed, Pajuta-Libut is asking Cong. Chatto for a copy of the deed of donation.
The Bohol Tribune asked for Mayor Chatto’s reaction on the matter.
She said that the Chatto family does not own any land in the area where the power plant is located.
“Wala man mi property anang dapita. Si Boheco nalang ang pangutan-on [about the deed of donation],” Chatto retorted.
RESIDENTS’ TESTIMONY
Two residents of Balilihan appeared and gave their statements to the media during the press conference.
Jonathan Mancha of Hanopol Norte and Uldarico Ambujot of barangay Sto. Niño, each spoke to the media during the press conference.
Jonathan Mancha said that the arrival of Lim and Richli Water in the area is a blessing where residents are now aware of their rights and now fighting for these rights.
On the other hand, Uldarico Ambojot said that he and the rest of his family are fighting back against those who would use their land without permission. He claimed that the Boheco used a portion of their land and the LGU laid its pipes also in a portion of their land. He believes that the water that will be extracted from the spring will be sold to BWUI.
In reaction to the statements of the residents, Chatto said both Jonathan Mancha and Uldarico Ambojot are paid civilian guards of Richli Water. Chatto talked to both of them and the latter asked for “dispensa” from the former as they are just working to earn P350 a day.
Chatto added that Jonathan Mancha ran for barangay captain of Hanopol Norte but lost to Docio Mancha, who is supportive of the Chatto administration.
Uldarico Ambojot, Chatto said, recently, his son was a recipient of a wheelchair coming from the program of the mayor. The son also received financial assistance for food items and medicines.
For details regarding the stand of both parties, please read pages 12, 12A & 12B of this issue of the paper.