THE 1,109-strong Liga ng mga Barangay in Bohol led by its president Dr. Romulo Cepedoza expressed support and deep concern over the fate of their comrades – barangay officials who were preventively suspended by the Ombudsman in connection with the Captain’s Peak resort debacle.
“We don’t buy the idea that the barangay captains were negligent of their responsibilities,” its official manifesto showed. The statement was issued and signed by almost all Liga ng mga Barangay officers and municipal presidents after its annual congress held last week at the Bohol Tropics resort.
It said that the barangay captains, who were members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) only endorsed a Resolution for its approval, wherein the final approval is within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
It added that they did not act with malice nor personal gain which “we share a common sentiment and emotion over the displeasing news, we respect the decision.”
It stressed that the barangay captains carry their responsibility to safeguard the natural heritage considering now that Bohol is being designated as Global Geopark by the UNESCO, the only one in the country.
The statement concluded that, “we also share our hope that eventually truth and justice will prevail, that those without intent of malice to desecrate our sacred protected area will be exonerated.”
Cepedoza, LnB vice-President Rodulfo Tutor and secetary Sergio Bangalao also signed the said manifesto.
Suspended are the barangay chairmen in the towns where the Chocolate Hills are situated: brgy Capt. Querimo Aparicio, La Victoria, Carmen; Capt. Gregorio Digamon, Nueva Vida Sur, Carmen; Eulogio Aparri Canmaya Centro, Sagbayan; Capt. Erlinda Nacua Katipunan, Sagbayan; Ricardo Basco, San Antonio, Sagbayan; Asuncion Ybanez, Poblacion, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Ricardo Basco Floriana Decierdo, Ricardo Basco; Brgy Capt Erwin Capa, Kagawasan, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt James Diolan, Behind the Clouds, Batuan; Brgy Capt Ian Bernaldez, Sta. Cruz, Batuan; Brgy Capt Francisco Loy-a, Cabacnitan, Batuan; Brgy Capt Dennie Remedio, Campagao, Bilar; Brgy Capt Perfecto Buro, Villaflor, Carmen; Brgy Capt Nilfa D. Pamat, Ubojan, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Enrico Celades, Canmaya, Sagbayan; and Brgy Capt Isabelo Candole, Libertad, Sagbayan.
Brgy Capt Liza B. Tanudla, San Ramon, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Arnel Polinar, San Vicente, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Victor Ramos, San Isidro, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Emmanuel Jumawid, Poblacion Vieja, Batuan; Brgy Capt Maria Fe Jala, Janlud; Brgy Capt Flavian Pacatang, Garcia, Batuan; Bgry Capt timoteo Quimpan, Bugang Sur, Bilar; Brgy Capt Serapion Organisa, Cambigsi, Bilar; Brgy Capt Adelo Mangayaay, Zamora, Bilar; Brgy Capt Christopher Andales. Kabasakan, Sagbayan; Brgy Capt Rolando Pataca, Rizal, Batuan; Brgy Capt Gerardo Salces, Cantigdas, Batuan; Brgy Capt Crisologo Balag, Cansumbol, Bilar; Brgy Capt Rosendo Bantugan, Dagohoy, Bilar; Brgy Capt Rosalino Polinar, Cabog, Clarin; Brgy kagawad Cecilia Tesio, Nueva Vida Norte, Carmen; Brgy kagawad Nelito Gallogo, Montevideo, Carmen; Brgy Kagawad Teresita Pahamutang, Libertad Sur, Sagbayan; Brgy Kagawad Tito O. Ancog, Bugang Norte, Bilar; and Brgy kagawad Teresita C. Bayron, Roxas, Bilar. (rvo)
