‘Yanson 4’ slam police on their ‘use of force’
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Ousted Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) President Leo Rey Yanson managed to gain control of company headquarters yesterday morning in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan. Based on information obtained by Watchmen Daily Journal, the AGNSA Security Agency was reinstalled at the facility after a portion of the wall was torn down, enabling the guards to enter.
The guards were accompanied by members of the police, who were acting upon an order by the Philippine National Police-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA).
Reports also claimed police lobbed tear gas into the compound. While it is unclear as to why authorities resorted to using tear gas, sources told Watchmen Daily Journal that the incident was triggered when supporters of VTI President Roy Yanson allegedly threw a bottle of paint thinner at several people outside of the compound.
Supporters, meanwhile, denied allegations that they started the commotion first.
Atty. Norman Golez, legal counsel to the former company president, said they are just carrying out the mandate from the PNP-SOSIA.
The ‘Yanson 4,’ composed of Roy, Ricardo Jr., Celina, and Emily Yanson, were all holed up at the headquarters.
With headquarters now under the control of Leo Rey Yanson and his camp, Golez said they are now trying to regain control of the bus units that were parked inside the Dynamic Builders compound in Barangay Alijis, which is owned by Ricardo Jr.
The attorney said they have already reported the find to the police and indicated the units were not supposed to be there. They also warned of possible further legal action if they are not handed back to the company.
Members of the PNP Highway Patrol Group previously visited the Dynamic Builders compound last Thursday but failed to take the bus units.
Meanwhile, with regard to tearing down a portion of the compound wall, Regional Civil Security Unit head, Police Colonel Fidel Dacpano, called it “reasonable force.”
However, Atty. Shiela Sison, who represents the camp of Roy Yanson, said it is not reasonable for police to use the “doctrine of reasonable force” and claimed their actions terrified workers.
Sison added, they are presently studying possible charges against the police.
In response to the incident, Roy Yanson filed a petition for a writ of amparo before the Supreme Court against the top brass of the PNP including Director-General Oscar Albayalde; Police Regional Office-6 director, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan; and acting PNP-SOSIA chief, Police Colonel Michael Dubria. A writ of amparo mandates hearings be conducted on an issue within seven days, wherein a temporary protection order is issued for the petitioner and the respondent is given 72 hours to provide a response to the allegations./DGB, WDJ
