Gungob, barangay captain argue over quarrying

CEBU, Philippines - Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob and of one his barangay captains got into a heated argument over quarrying in barangay Panoypoy Wednesday. Both had the incident recorded in the police station.

According to radio dySS, last Thursday morning Panoypoy barangay captain Dennis Balaba arrived at the police station to report that the day before Gungob went to his barangay and he requested the mayor to stop the ongoing quarrying as advised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

But the mayor told him to let the DENR personnel to come to his office. Balaba said he refused and Gungob allegedly got angry and pointed directly at his face accusing him of opposing projects beneficial to the town.

Gungob then allegedly tried to punch him but was pacified by his bodyguard, Consolacion Traffic Commission officer Antonio Gutierrez.

The two then went on to argue some more.

Balaba said he finally told the mayor he can quarry the whole of Panoypoy if he has the right DENR documents and Gungob threatened to sue him.

“Magmahay ra ka, gabaan ka nako,” Balaba quoted Gungob as saying before he left.

An hour after Balaba came to the police it was Gungob’s turn to come and report the incident.

He told the police that last Wednesday he went to Panoypoy together with Gutierrez to check and monitor their personnel working at the quarry but Balaba arrived and told him to stop the quarrying as advised by the DENR.

Gungob claimed he invited Balaba to go to his office for a talk but Balaba allegedly kept on talking prompting him to say “wala ka’y batasan, wala kay respitar. Mayor ko”.

Consolacion police chief Chief Insp. Bonifacio Tecson said they will still verify whether the quarrying operation in Panoypoy is legal.

Only last week Gungob became the focus of attention after he cut off the power and phone lines of his own police force.   — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)