The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) filed criminal charges against eight alleged guards of Taiwan-national Han Suan Chang, following their attempt at a hostile takeover of a bar at the Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, earlier this week.

In an e-mail released by BCPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, she clarified there were only eight guards, as opposed to the 11 that was originally reported. She went on to identify the arrested parties as John Paul Rama, Vicente Vigor, Jonathan Dieta, Rodrigo Alingasal, Donald Carampatana, Jay Demandar, Joseph Baykin, and Erol Delgado.

Vargas said they are being charged with robbery, grave coercion, forcible entry, and property damage, following their actions at a bar owned by Joseph Nazareno.

The eight are presently detained at Police Station 8 (PS8).

Earlier Chang, along with the “guards,” entered Nazareno’s establishment claiming he was the legitimate owner.

Police were alerted by nearby residents and members of the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit were deployed, who managed to de-escalate the situation.

Nazareno said Chang had been a potential investor, however, the deal went sour after the latter failed to pay for the transaction.

He also pointed out, several items, including closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), were destroyed by the group during the incident.

In addition, Nazareno survived an attempt on his life last month, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a vehicle he was driving. He also claimed Chang was being behind the shooting./DGB, WDJ