By Mae Singuay 

The Bacolod City Enforcement Team (CET) of the City Legal Office filed criminal charges against a resident of the city’s Barangay 6 during the demolition of houses along Mambuloc creek on July 28.

CET head, Rey Demisana, filed threat and resistance to person of authority charges against 31-year-old Junjun Meniao at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Meniao was detained in Police Station 2. 

Demisana said the complaint stemmed from an incident wherein a commotion happened between Meniao and the CET in Barangay 2.

He said the demolition team was conducting demolition along the creek when Meniao asked them why they allegedly destroyed a jetmatic public pump, the source of water in the area.

The resident, with a stone in his hand, allegedly challenged them, which resulted in a commotion.

Before the demolition, Demisana told affected residents the city government is willing to fix if there are properties damaged or destroyed that are not included in the demolition.

He admitted that the pump is not going to be demolished, but this can’t be avoided.

He also clarified Meniao is not among the 32 informal settler families (ISFs) affected by the demolition.

The CET started demolition activities at the creek in Barangays 2 and 6 on July 18, as the Department of Public Works and Highways rehabilitated the area.

The city government provided a relocation site in Barangay Vista Alegre for the affected families.

At least 32 ISFs also received financial assistance of P10,000 each./MS, WDJ