Quiño officials protest no-permit, no-rally policy

OFFICIALS aligned with Mayor-elect Joel Quiño questioned the declaration of a red alert status on Compostela following reports that another takeover attempt of the municipal hall will occur sometime soon.

In a visit to Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale’s office, Councilor-elect Tessa Cang said she was shocked about caretaker mayor Pedro Noval Jr.’s declaration particularly his enforcement of a no-permit, no-rally policy in the municipality.

Noval said they received reports of another takeover attempt by Quiño’s followers, which Cang denied.

She labeled Noval, also regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Governments in Central Visayas (DILG-7), a man “with a fertile imagination.”

Noval ordered additional police personnel to secure the municipal hall to avoid another takeover attempt.

Cang said it is the right of Compostela residents to hold a rally.

“It’s the right of the people to hold a rally so long as no violence is committed. There’s no reason to place Compostela on red alert,” Cang said.

Last May 11, Quiño’s supporters broke the padlock of the municipal hall’s front door allowing entry for Quiño and his slate of councilors into the building.

Quiño was persuaded into leaving municipal hall by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who promised to follow up his case with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Noval called on Quiño’s supporters to wait for the Comelec decision.

Magpale echoed Noval’s call, saying supporters of both Quiño and former mayor Ritchie Wagas should exercise restraint and wait on Comelec before making any move.

“Anyway we’ve waited this long. There’s no takeover attempt. If there is, we would know about it,” Magpale said.

Cang informed Magpale that her lawyer told her that the Comelec ordered a recanvassing of votes in Compostela town.

She said they will be sent a copy of the order at 3 p.m. yesterday but no order came as of 5 p.m. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus