Monday, January 05, 2009 Lawyer files suit over dispute on beach fees
A LAWYER sued an heir of a beach property owner and two security guards for grave coercion over a disagreement in the collection of entrance and parking fees for the property in Moalboal, Cebu.
Named respondents are Jose Igo-Ogan Jr., the heir of the owner of the property in Sitio Basdaku, Barangay Saavedra, Moalboal, and security guards Rodel Diaz and Aurelio Avenido.
In a complaint to Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba, lawyer Coleta Aranas-Campanale said that last November, the respondents prevented the fees from being collected by the designated collector.
Campanale is the lawyer for Clear Dawn Corp., which is leasing the Igo-Ogan property.
Campanale accused the three of conspiring with one another to stop the collection of entrance and parking fees from the beach’s users.
Memorandum
A memorandum last Oct. 31 designated Joseph Romano as collector and cashier for the property. Before that, the security guards were tasked to collect the fees.
“Initially, the (guards) resisted but after some discussions with Campanale and the board of directors...both relinquished their positions,” Romano said in an affidavit supporting the complaint.
But last Nov. 15, Igo-Ogan, Avenido and Diaz allegedly cornered Romano at the guard house and took over the collection duties.
“(They) demanded that they take over the collection, which they did and divided the proceeds among themselves,” Romano said.
Romano wants additional complaints of trespassing and robbery filed against the three.
Benito Jabel, Campa-nale’s personal security guard, also filed an affidavit that said Igo-Ogan was shouting and “violent.” Igo-Ogan also appeared “menacing” and seemed to be in need of money, Jabel said. (JGA)
