No need to send more police to Daanbantayan— official

The Cebu provincial police offices sees no need to assign more police personnel in barangay Bakhawan, Daanbantayan town following the confrontation between Mayor Luisa Loot and a barangay captain last Tuesday morning.

“If the local police cannot handle it, we have a public safety company in between Medellin and Daanbantayan towns and Bogo City. The incident already happened, so it’s unnecessary to send more people,” Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., Cebu provincial police director, said.

He also advised barangay Bakhawan captain Bernardito Luche to file a complaint with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office before he requests for security detail.

Luche wanted to secure a videotape of his confrontation with Mayor Loot who supposedly pointed a finger at him and threatened him while armed escorts looked on.

The video was taken by one of his supporters who was allegedly sideswiped, insulted and threatened by one of Loot’s escorts.

Luche said the youth who took the video is scared for his life after being told that someone was looking for him.

Making up stories

Luche reported the incident to the Daanbantayan police.

“When we provide security there are procedures to be followed. I am not authorized to approve the security when he is installed,” Comendador said.

Mayor Loot denied starting the confrontation, saying she went to barangay Bakhawan after receiving text messages from barangay officials that Luche was harassing them.

Loot said Luche was only making up stories about the confrontation.

“Akoa man gani siya giingnan nga hinayon iyang tingog kay gasinggit-singgit (I was telling him that he should lower his voice because he was the one shouting),” she added.

Loot also denied that she brought armed escorts at the time, saying a supporter volunteered to accompany her.

“Asawa ko general pero dili ko ingon ana. Ug ang mga tao sa Daanbantayan pangutan-on, wa gyud na sila kakita nagdala ko ug (My husband is a general but I’m not like that. The people of Daanbantayan can be asked, they don’t see me bringing escorts),” she said.

Loot also said her supporter who rode a motorcycle didn’t hit a Luche supporter.

“Ug magkuha man ug video, padaplin sa dalan (If they want to get a video they should take it beside a road),” she said.

Serious threat

Comendador said his office is still investigating the police who supposedly failed to act on the complaint of Bakhawan residents.

“The police simply cannot enter the area unless there is serious threat to life to both parties,” he said.

The Cebu provincial police chief said he knows that Daanbantayan is part of Cebu’s 4th district which was tagged as an Election Watch List Area (EWAS).

Luche is running for municipal councilor under the LP banner while Loot is identified with the rival One Cebu party.

Luche and Loot engaged in a heated argument shortly before the Liberal Party (LP) caravan arrived in their town last Tuesday afternoon.

Loot’s armed security escorts rode on motorcycles and allegedly threatened the LP supporters waiting for the caravan.

Comendador also encouraged the youth who took the video of Loot and Luche’s confrontation to file a complaint against the person who sideswiped and threatened him. With Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus