Garcia camp preparing for a siege

CEBU CITY—The camp of suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia appears to be preparing for a siege, boarding up and fortifying the office that Garcia refuses to vacate with padlocks and chains.

Garcia had padlocks the size of fists and chains installed in doors and windows boarded up with plywood at the office that she currently occupies in defiance of a Malacañang order suspending her for usurpation of authority.

At the back entrance near the Provincial Assessor’s Office, the door was also padlocked. Because of this, policemen detailed at the treasurer’s office, accounting office and the closed circuit television (CCTV) room were no longer allowed entry inside the capitol building.

Policemen, who talked on condition of anonymity for not being authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said this type of tension has not been seen in the capitol during the holidays.

At least four policemen were detailed to each office in the capitol.

The Garcia camp had sounded the alarm at around 3 a.m. Monday about the alleged arrival of members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) from the Cebu City Police Office at the capitol compound.

Garcia posted several messages in her Twitter account at the same time.

“There’s a steady build up of forces in the capitol premises. SWAT personnel are manning the gates,” was her first post.

Then, she added that, “Outside the gates, our people are no longer allowed entry. Are they planning to take me out by force now?”

“Calling on all Cebuanos who care: they are forcing entry,” she further posted.

“We are surrounded. We only hope Cebuanos will come to help us,” was her fourth message.