BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Camp Montelibano has confirmed that the status of a private firm that provides security services to the owner of a disputed sugarcane plantation in neighboring Talisay City has yet to be confirmed if it has licensed guns and is exempted by the Commission on Elections from the existing gunban under the existing election period.
Captain Judesses Catalogo, Camp Montelibano spokesman, told DNX the Regional Civil Security Unit offices in Regions Six and Seven have yet to issue certifications on the security agency hired by the plantation owner.
Catalogo said the Talisay Police Office is expecting the RCSU 6 to verify if the agency’s guards have licensed firearms for its guards while the RCSU 7 was requested to check if the firm is registered with the National Police.
He added the RCSU 6 was also asked to check if the alleged guard involved in a fracas with farmers last week, Jose Alontaga, was indeed detailed to guard the hacienda.
Alontaga was allegedly the guard recorded on video threatening a woman who is the daughter of a farmer-beneficiary.
Alontaga also fired a warning shot onto the ground near the woman.
It has yet to be known, however, if Alontaga was indeed an employee of the security firm based in Cebu City covered by Region 7.
A deputy chief of Talisay City had earlier said charges for grave threats and violation of the Comelec’s gunban.
