Spare us, bry. captain tells Mayor Tomas

BUOT-TAUP Barangay Captain Richie Sibla cried foul when the barangay’s basketball board was torn down yesterday by City Hall’s demolition team with the assistance of the police.

The basketball board is owned by opposition south district congressional bet Jonathan Guardo, who is running against Mayor Tomas Osmeña. The board was replaced by the city-owned board yesterday.

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Sibla said that a heated argument ensued earlier but they were not able to stop the removal of the board since the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division team was accompanied by police personnel.

 Sibla said the demolition team was guided by Barangay Councilor Rosalita Callino, a former barangay captain and an ally of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Sibla, an ally of Guardo, is appealing to Osmeña to spare the barangay from the so-called “basketball terrorism” since Buot-Taup is just a small village.

“Ang kalinaw mao lang unta ang ipatigbabaw ba dili lang unta mi iapil ug gukod kay gamay ra man kaayo ning among barangay.” Sibla said.

The barangay captain believes mayor’s supporters in Buot-Taup were just envious since their basketball tournament is successful.

Sibla said they are holding basketball tournaments every weekend this month in celebration of their annual fiesta on March 19.

Osmeña, for his part, denied involvement in the removal of the basketball boards of Guardo.

The mayor said it is not his idea to tear down the boards but added that he won’t stop his supporters from doing so.

“I have nothing to do with that but it is okay with me kay iyang (Guardo) giabuso ang property sa siyudad, the goal is owned by the City,” Osmeña said.

He said Guardo tore down the original board and replaced it with his own basketball board. He said Guardo can’t use the City’s basketball goal.

Sibla said the youth in the barangay requested Guardo to replace the dilapidated City-owned board.

Guardo, for his part, said he was not surprised anymore when Sibla told him about the removal of his basketball board.

He said that it is happening all over the city but it will not stop him from giving basketball boards to city residents if there are requests.

But this time, Guardo said, he has to be extra careful that the goal is not owned by the City Government or by the mayor.

But Guardo appealed to the mayor that the City prioritize the installation of basketball boards in barangays that don’t have any.

Guardo is worried that his and the mayor’s supporters will soon clash over the “basketball terrorism” employed by his political rival.

The issue started late last year when Guardo and Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos announced it to the public.

But Osmeña said it was the opposition who started the terrorism since they were the ones who removed City-owned basketball boards.