By Mae Singuay

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) issued a 90-day preventive suspension to Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco) general manager Rey Bustamante yesterday.

NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda served the order to Bustamante at the Noceco main building in Kabankalan City.

Almeda said NEA suspended the general manager because he allegedly assumed the position without proper procedure.

He said the order will prevent Bustamante from using his position, power and prerogatives to influence potential witnesses or tamper records necessary in the prosecution of the cases.

However, Bustamante was not in his office during the serving of the suspension order, as tension arose before Almeda served the order.

The guards prevented Almeda from entering Noceco’s premises despite explaining to them the issuance of the suspension order.

They used a bolt cutter to destroy the gate’s padlock.

Meanwhile, Almeda appointed Engineer Domingo Santiago, Jr. as Noceco’s acting general manager for six months.

Watchmen Daily Journal has tried to reach Bustamante to comment but to no avail./MS, WDJ