Baquerfo tries to take office: Tension grips Tudela again

CEBU - Tension has again gripped the town of Tudela in the island of Camotes yesterday dawn after Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo and a number of his political supporters tried to regain physical control of the municipal hall from his political enemy, who has been camping in the building for several months now.

Baquerfo, who remains to be the recognized mayor of Tudela by the Department of Interior and Local Government despite losing to Demetrio Granada in the protest before the Regional Trial Court, and about 30 of his supporters stormed the municipal hall at about 2:45 a.m. yesterday.

Baquerfo was supposed to reclaim possession of the mayor’s office.

However, Granada and his supporters who have been staying in the building blocked Baquerfo and his group from entering the municipal hall.

Tudela Police chief Ramon Villar said that a brief confrontation ensued between the two camps, which resulted to the damage of the main door of the municipal building.

According to Villar, an unknown supporter of Baquerfo broke the glass door to gain entrance.

Baquerfo and his group however were forced to withdraw and occupy the old municipal building instead where he held office yesterday.

Villar said the situation remains volatile because the supporters of both camps are just close to each other and trouble could erupt anytime.

He however said that the situation remains controllable and that they still have the augmentation force from the nearby towns.

Baquerfo earlier threatened to regain possession of his office before Christmas.

According to Baquerfo, he will already assert his legal authority as the legitimate mayor of Tudela.

The mayoralty contest in Tudela has remained unresolved by the Commission on Elections.

Baquerfo lost in the recount at the RTC in Danao City, but he appealed the decision before the Comelec, which is yet to decide on the matter.

Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said that he was informed about the incident around 3 a.m. yesterday.

He has already ordered the deployment of personnel from the Regional Mobile Group, who recently returned from Mindanao, to be sent to Tudela as augmentation force.

“The police are doing its best to prevent the supporters from rekindling the attack.” Valmoria emphasized. — with Bentley Naire Luyong, CIT MassCom Intern/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)