2 hurt in “hostile takeover”
Two security personnel were shot and wounded after more than 30 armed security guards reportedly took over a private resort casino in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, yesterday dawn.
Alberto Elola, a retired soldier, suffered a gunshot wound in the left upper chest when personnel from the Blue Breed Security Agency hired by the casino allegedly shot him.
Senior Superintendent Lemuel Obon chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office said Elola was taken to the Mactan Doctors Hospital for treatment. The other victim, who has yet to be identified, was reportedly grazed in the arm, according to Obon.
Investigation revealed that the 30 armed men were from another security agency based in Cagayan de Oro, Proceed Security Agency, who allegedly went to the resort and took over by force.
"Ang ilahang sulti, ang ilahang kliyente nga Koreano pud, maoy tinuod nga tag-iya sa casino unya dili man kuno i-turnover sa ilaha sa kanang nagduma didto, mao na, by force nisulod sila didto," Obon said.
The incident happened past 3 a.m., when Obon said an "exchange of gunfire" happened at the gate of the resort as witnessed by the resort's security guard.
"Ang gwardya didto, pagkakita niya, pag-abot nila sakay sa puti nga van, diritso tion ngadto sa mga gwardiya nga nag-duty. Gidisarmahan unya gitionan. Naa man gwardiya sa sulod nakakita, nag-open fire sila. So there was an exchange of gunfire," Obon explained.
This was the third time Proceed Security Agency personnel allegedly attempted to enter the said establishment.
"Ikatulo na ni nag-attempt sila didto. Yung first and second, they failed kay adlaw, so they tried, this is the third time, they almost got it," Obon said.
With this, Obon said both parties will be subject to investigation including paraffin tests, as ordered by Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas.
"Tanan ni sila (both parties) ipa-paraffin para to check kung kinsa'y nagpabuto og armas," Obon said.
At least 22 assorted firearms possessed by both agencies that were confiscated earlier will go through ballistic examination and police will also check their licenses, said Obon.
Obon said security guards are not authorized to carry machine pistols and high-powered firearms, and they are also not allowed to use .45 cal. pistols.
"We will be filing appropriate charges against them, including nag-lead sa ilaha, katong nag-insinuate," Obon said referring to the Proceed Security Agency.
The Blue Breed Agency, which has about 14 personnel, will also undergo investigation, Obon said.
Malicious mischief, obstruction of justice, alarm and scandal are possible complaints that will be filed against the 30 security personnel from Proceed Security Agency.
Obstruction of justice was added, Obon said, because Proceed Security Agency personnel barred the police from entering the area
"After sa burst of gunfire, naalarma ang atong kapolisan, niresponde dayon pero wala sila pasudla. They did not allow our policemen to get inside," he said.
"Based on the rules of engagement, even on privately-owned properties once there already police investigating the area, the police must be allowed to enter the premises with or without warrant. We are talking about life and death," Obon added.
No guests were harmed when the incident happened as they were inside their rooms, Obon assured.
Another possible move such as the cancellation of the license of Proceed Security Agency is also being studied by police after the incident.
EGI RESORT CLOSURE ORDER
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue-7 ordered the closure of another resort, EGI Resort, in Barangay Maribago, Mactan Island, for its alleged failure to pay taxes.
Yesterday, the closure notice was posted by the agency led by BIR-7 chief Eduardo Pagulayan, who said that this is part of their strict implementation of Oplan Kandado intended for business entities that fail to pay taxes.
The said resort has underdeclared 30 percent of their income, according to Pagulayan.
"We gave them ample time to explain their side before we implement this administrative sanction. Unfortunately, they were not able to explain it or ask kung bakit nag-underdeclare sila ng more than 30 percent at hindi nag-i-issue ng registered invoices," Pagulayan explained.
The closure order was issued last August 9 as they failed to comply with the fiveday VAT Compliance Notice No. RR-13-VCN2018 dated July 12, 2018.
"The order shall remain in effect until it is lifted," read the order of Commissioner Caesar Dulay signed by Arnel Guballa deputy commissioner-operations group.
The resort management, on the other hand, assured the BIR that they will settle and comply with the needed requirements as soon as possible so that their operations will be back to normal. —