Byron ‘arrests’ Filinvest plumber; conflict revived
The “citizen’s arrest” of a plumber yesterday revived attention to complaints of homeowners of Corona del Mar Subdivision in Talisay City, where Byron Garcia said the developer was switching off water supply from 12 midnight to 4 a.m.
The younger brother of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said he performed a “citizen’s arrest” and turned over 28-year-old Michael Almanzor to the police after the plumber was caught closing off water main lines past 2:30 a.m.
A notice last month to homeowners said the cutoff was being done to repair leaks.
Byron persuaded Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez to set a meeting tomorrow with Filinvest management to address complaints about the nightly shutoff of water supply affecting 300 households since Dec. 1.
Byron also led homeowners in parking two minibuses to block the entrance of the nearby Escala subdivision being developed by Filinvest.
They said construction work had resumed there despite a a cease-and-desist order issued by the mayor in Sept. 21, after Corona del Mar residents complained about dust pollution and heavy use of their subdivision road by heavy equipment and trucks for construction of Escala.
“A homeowner told me that I should do my job as president,” said Byron about the plumber’s arrest. Four other residents were with him.
“He has inconvenienced the homeowners . . .We were not informed . . . We were terrorized by Filinvest,” Byron said.
Reached for comment, Filinvest lawyer Dante Ramos said the arrest was illegal.
“What is the violation of person who is sleeping? I don’t think it falls under a citizens arrest,” Ramos said.
He said Filinvest would file a case for illegal arrest and illegal detention against Byron and include police officers as well if they don’t release the plumber.
Ramos said Filinvest does not recognize Byron as president of the home owners of Corona del Mar.
He said Byron was not qualified and has no legal personality to lead the residents because the house he occupies is registered under the name of Maria Aragon.
“I am not afraid of any battle, legal or whatever,” Byron said.
In his jail cell, the plumber, who was charged with malicious mischief, said he was only following instructions.
“I hope I’m forgiven. I have small children to take care of. I don’t want to get caught in the middle of someone else’s conflict, “ he said in Cebuano.
Byron asked news reporters to witness the blockade being put up in front of Escala, but when he returned to Corona Del Mar, security guards of Pioneer agency blocked entry of the media.
Garcia got down from his Hi-Lux van and opened the gate to let reporters in but the security guards stopped him.
They argued, voices were raised and there was some pushing between Byron and at least five security guards.
Byron later went ahead with blockade with the help the home owners, and videotaped the scene to show reporters later.
Byron went to the mayor’s office Tuesday to complain that Filinvest removed the concrete culverts that were used as a perimeter fence in the entrance of Escala subdivision a week ago.
The cease-and-desist order issued against the Escala project was for two violations: construction without a permit and construction without a zoning clearance.
Filinvest had a development permit to develop the land, but didn’t have a housing permit to construct dwellings on the property.
Byron said the construction of Escala subdivsion was an alteration of the the Corona del Mar subdivision plan without consulting the homeowners.
He said the mayor has not lifted the cease-and-desist order against Filinvest, but heavy equipment was entering the site to deliver construction materials.
Byron pointed out that the boardwalk by the sea, “marina” white-sand beach, volleyball court, commercial shopping center were among the unfulfilled promises of Filinvest.
“Daghan na kaayo ug blotter . . . I’m just doing my job,” Byron said.
Byron said that price of water charged by Filinvest at P63 per cubic meter was the subject of complaints of homeowners.
