Following a recent legal quarrel between businessman Francis Cabuga and his wife Catherine Brios that ended in a “standoff,” the former and his legal team forcibly took over the Metro Inn Hotel, located as 6th-Lacson Streets in Bacolod City, last Monday night.

In a radio interview yesterday, Brios’ legal counsel, Atty. Jomax Ortiz, said Cabuga’s group, consisting of his lawyer and nine blue guards, entered the establishment around 9:30 p.m. She said, the group immediately closed the main entrance of the hotel and installed a signs that read “No Trespassing” and “For Audit and Inventory.”

According to Ortiz, the hotel was fully booked when the takeover occurred and guests were left inside except for two individuals who checked out yesterday morning. Hotel guests were later allowed to check out and transferred to other accommodations in the city.

Cabuga’s legal counsel, Atty. Erfe del Castillo, called the closure a “corporate act” based on a board resolution issued by the Mushroom Realty Development Corporation, where Cabuga serves as chief executive officer.

In response, Ortiz said the hotel has been managed by Brios since its construction and any problems should be addressed through the courts and not a takeover.

He added, they have already sought assistance from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).

BCPO spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, meanwhile, said they discovered the firearms transported by Cabuga’s team did not have any permits for transport and the blue guards were immediately disarmed in order to prevent tensions from escalating.

Gabana added, they may file charges against the security agency, who are barred from entering the hotel premises./DGB, WDJ