Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Peña washes hands on guns recovered from guards By Nicolas C. Delfin
THE 12 hired security guards of Lawyer "Magsy" Peña that were detained Monday night for violating the gun ban may also be charged if they were detailed out of jurisdiction, Provincial Commission on Election (Comelec) Officer Jessie Suarez said Tuesday.
Peña, however, said the arrest of his hired guards does not concern him dismissing it as the problem of the security agency.
The guards, of MGE Cornerstone Security Agency based in Bacolod City, were detained after 14 12-gauge shotguns and a 9mm pistol were seized from their possession.
They were all hired by Peña to secure the latter's property in Barangay Zone 2, Pulupandan town.
Although all the seized firearms were licensed, it does not have the necessary documents from the agency that certify its exemptions from the Comelec gun ban.
Head Security Officer Heracleo Templa of the MGE Cornerstone Security Agency said they have applied for the Comelec's gun ban exemptions and that they are expecting to receive the permits today.
He added that the agency has gone through the needed legal processes but did not realize that they will be detailed in Peña's territory in Pulupandan town.
And with the present crisis that the agency is facing, Templa said they have decided to withdraw the troops so they will not be involve in the town's conflict.
Last week, close to 300 angry residents of Barangay Zone 1 uprooted and destroyed the perimeter fences made of barb and cyclone wires allegedly installed by Peña's workers to close passageways in some portions of the area.
Peña reiterated his rights of ownership to the family- owned property in the town.
"Running for elections is not my interest here but some residents there have been using my property for 50 years and if I failed to pay for its taxes it will be auctioned by the City government," Peña said.
Aid for the residents
Concerned with the recent situation of the people of Pulupandan town, Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon designated Tuesday Provincial Legal Officer Jose Valencia to look for means to ease the tension in the town and help the residents in finding a place where they can stay safe.
Marañon said he find it appropriate to designate a lawyer to see through the legal conflicts between mayoralty candidate Magdaleno "Magsy" Peña and the residents of Barangay Zone 1.
He said during his dialog with the village chieftains of the town, they have questioned Peña's land title documents and that they are willing to bring it in court.
Marañon, on the other hand, said the Provincial Government is willing to help the residents in finding a relocation site to accommodate more than 2,000 residents.
"Mayor Luis Mondia has allotted a three hectare lot for them which could only accommodate 300 persons and that is why we are seeking for ways to help them find a 20 hectare lot that accommodate them all," Marañon said.
As for Peña's appeal for the governor to respect his propriety rights, Marañon said "we respect that but he has to respect and uphold humanitarian considerations, too."
Meanwhile, Marañon has also commended the Pulupandan policemen the successful operation of confiscating 14 shotguns and a 9mm pistol.
At least our police officers were able to maintain peace and order which is their main obligation in Pulupandan that is under tension," he said.
