Tension over basketball boards

CEBU, Philippines - Tension heightened between supporters of the administration and opposition in barangay Lahug yesterday when a heated argument ensued between the staff of education consultant Augustus “Joy” Young and supporters of Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos.

The cause of the argument – the basketball boards that Young’s staff were delivering to the Golden Valley Youth Organization in barangay Lahug.

In an interview, Young said one of De los Santos’ men allegedly prevented the boards to be put up because the same would be “stepping on their rights.” De los Santos also reportedly sent her tanods and councilmen.

Young said he did not have any choice but call for police assistance. Like De los Santos, he was also not at the scene.

“Wako mingadto didto kay musamot og kainit, Mary Ann was also in Manila pero nag-txt sa akong tawo nga naa didto,” Young said.

Young said the youth organization requested for the boards last month yet, but he reportedly did not act on the request because there are already existing basketball boards in Golden Valley. However, he reportedly learned later that the boards there are already dilapidated and was already up for replacement.

The barangay is said to replace the boards, but another request was reportedly sent just this week.

“Pero naa naman pud ang request this week so mao nang gipadad-an na namo. Karon, dili nila ipataod og mutaod nadaw sila. Pagka-petty,” Young said.

The boards were not put up yesterday, but Young said that even if the barangay opposes, the city can actually install the boards because it is the city government that donated the goals and donated the lot for the basketball court.

The argument was pacified yesterday when members of the Mobile Patrol Group arrived.

Yesterday’s incident came barely two months after opposition leader Jonathan Guardo accused the administration of stripping down the 500 basketball boards he donated to the city’s south district.

Guardo described the move of the city as an “act of terrorism,” which is reportedly detrimental to the aspirations of many Cebuanos.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, said he merely wanted to return the favor to De los Santos who ordered to dismantle the boards donated by the city to replace them with her own.

Young, a resident of barangay Lahug, is the vice mayoralty bet for Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan for next year’s elections.

On the other hand, De Los Santos has expressed intention to run for Congress for the city’s north district under Kugi Uswag Sugbo. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)