Mediaman files petition for Writ of Amparo for threats

A MEDIA practitioner and seven other people, including a member of the Municipal Council in Bayug, Zamboanga del Sur, filed a petition for Writ of Amparo before the Court of Appeals (CA) in Cagayan de Oro City for alleged threats from the officers and agents of Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI) Resource Development (TVIRD).

Also included as respondents were Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles, Mayor Leonardo Babasa of Bayug town also in Zamboanga del Sur, the Blue Guards and SCAA of the 53rd Infantry Battalion and 102nd Brigade of Tabak Division.

Joselito Pedrano, a broadcast journalist based in Pagadian City, and seven others from barangays Balabag and Depore in Bayug, Zamboanga del Sur, filed the petition on July 12 after allegedly receiving threats via text messages and electronic mail.

They also sought court protection and asked for investigation against TVIRD.

The petition was heard by Justices Romulo Borja, Ma. Luisa Quijano and Pedro Corrales on Friday at the CA in Cagayan de Oro.

Lawyer Glocelito Jayma, petitioner’s counsel, however, is optimistic that the court will wrap up and will give immediate resolution on the petition.

“The clients are in need of immediate protection since they are in danger and are under threat,” Jayma said.

The petition came after the complainants received series of emails from alleged TVIRD executives ordering their “liquidation” through “PLAN-X.”

The said “PLAN-X,” according to the complainants, has the approval of Cerilles, who is identified as CN-GAC in the email.

When reached for comment, executives of TVIRD refused to give their statement pending the hearing of the petition.

TVIRD is the Philippine affiliate of TVI Pacific Inc. (TSX: TVI), a publicly-listed Canadian mining company involved in the exploration and production of precious and base metals. It has assembled a team with exceptional skill in all aspects of mining and exploration and has acquired, or applied for, an impressive portfolio of properties in the Philippines. (Abigail Chee Kee Malalis)