MAHAYAG, ZAMBOSUR--A mini cockpit illegally constructed by barangay officials sparked a controversy last Wednesday after the town police chief tried to torch it down when said officials turned a deaf ear to orders demolishing it.
Police Inspector Homer Dumalag explained his act was only to send a uncompromising message to residents of Brgy. Panagaan that erecting such a fixed structure is not allowed by law.
He added in a huddle with journalists at his office that he was also acting on the the complaint of Rev. Fr. Renato Herrera, the town priest, who reported the presence of a mini cockpit in the said village.
The matter even reached the town council who earlier called the police chief’s attention.
In a visit inside his parish office, Herrera told journalists the mini cockpit shouldn’t have been there in the first place for the reason that the structure is just a few meters away from an elementary school and within a busy residential area, citing Section 5 of Presidential Decree No. 449, which states the proper areas of cockpits site and construction, as prescribed in Zoning Law or Municipal Ordinance.
The priest likewise noted that what made the construction of the mini cockpit more unlawful was the fact that it was the village officials themselves who sanctioned the creation of the cockpit and even contributed money among themselves to build it.
“Material evidence na against nila nga gapasiugda,” he said.
It was in this assertion that Punong Barangay Eduardo de la Peña was made aware of his lapses by the town council. The same was also mentioned by both Dumalag and Herrera in their meeting with the village chief.
It was learned that De la Peña was given until Monday, this week, to dismantle the said structure but failed to do so because, according to him, he was attending a funeral that day.
By Wednesday, because of the De la Peña’s lack of concern and negative response, Dumalag said he and his men decided to tear down the bamboo fences and torched the nipa portion of the mini cockpit to show residents that the structure has to be demolished.
“Kanang hepe dinha, daghan gyod mopalag ana niya kay kugihan man kayo. Mga problema sa peace and order molihok gyod siya dayon,” Herrera praised Dumalag for his move.
As to De la Peña, the priest commented: “Wala gyod sila’y plano moguba, tingale nangita na lang gyod sila’g rason.”
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA