Brgy court to mediate conflict with Byron

THE conflict between Byron Garcia and an American neighbor in Corona del Mar will first be mediated by the barangay captain of Pooc, Talisay City.

This developed after Wayne Morris, the 56-year-old American whom Garcia allegedly threatened with an AK-47 rifle during an argument in their subdivision,said he won’t pursue filing charges against Garcia just yet.

Wayne said he decided to undergo a mediation process with Pooc barangay captain Doroteo Emit.

“I think Byron has a good heart too. When it comes down to it, we can have a peaceful agreement and just let it go,” Morris told Cebu Daily News.

Wayne filed a complaint at the barangay hall yesterday, the first step of the mediation procedure.

“I spoke to the barangay captain and told him that I have no ill feelings for Byron,” he said.

He admitted that the developer Filinvest and Talisay police office were “not happy” with his decision, but he said that it’s already final.

Earlier, Filinvest encouraged Morris to file charges of harassment, threats and illegal possession of gun and told him that they would also provide legal assistance to the American.

“It’s my decision. We can come to a peaceful resolution and settle our disagreements,” said Morris.

The parties are set to meet in the Pooc barangay hall on Oct. 10.

Wayne said he didn’t want Garcia’s apology, but only his assurance that he would stop threatening the neighborhood.

“ I don’t need to continue fighting with Byron and make him suffer,” he said.

He said he would rather live peacefully with Garcia in the subdivision and move on after the incident.

“I already forgave him. It’s just the heat of the moment and he made a bad judgment call.”

Garcia, a brother of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, said he would wait after the mediation to decide whether to file a deportation complaint against Morris on the Bureau of Immigration.

“I’ll also give the mediation a chance,” he said.

Garcia, who surrendered his AK-47 to the Firearms, Explosives Security Guards and Agencies Supervisory Section (FESAGSS) early this week, said he pitied Morris’ wife and 2-year-old daughter if the American would be blacklisted.

Garcia said he also hoped the mediation would solve their differences.

“ I hope he apologizes and admit to me that it was wrong of him to shout at a Filipino. I’ll be okay with that,” Garcia said.

He said their heated argument started when Morris raised his voice and questioned his authority in Corona del Mar after Garcia removed the “slow down” signs that the American put on the street.

Garcia was elected president of a new Homeowner’s Association in the subdivision last Sept. 11 which is challenging Filinvest and an interim homeowner’s association organized by the developer.

Among the issues complained of by the residents are the the absence of amenities that Filinvest had promised to residents like jogging trails, a beach volleyball court, wide roads and a children’s playground.

Garcia said his group would file a complaint with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). With a report from Correspondent Gabriel Bonjoc and Rhea Ruth Rosell