Balili 'intruders' charged

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has indicted three members of the Greenpeace Philippines and 15 others for trespassing into the controversial Balili property in barangay Tinaan, Naga City.

Provincial prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba has approved the filing in court of the criminal case for violation of the Article 281 of the Revised Penal Code or Other Forms of Trespass against Norineal Tolibas, Christine Garace, Amalie Obusan and 15 other unidentified companions.

The accused have allegedly entered last December the province-owned Balili property without the permission of the provincial government.

The province, through Provincial Agriculturist Necias Vicoy, filed a complaint against the members of the environmental group for alleged trespassing.

Security guards Ronald Carreon and Jasper Divinagracia, both detailed at the controversial Balili property, narrated that while they were on duty last December 1 at around 7:00 a.m. they noticed the three accused alighted from a private van and proceeded to the lot, particularly in the newly built dike where nobody is allowed to go near because the cement has not cured yet.

Divinagracia said that he asked the purpose of their visit and one of the men answered that they were looking for a place to kayak. The guard said he told the three to secure a written permission from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture.

The three left but fifteen minutes later they were again inside the promises by gaining entry at the APO wharf situated at the back of the secured property. The guards said that they again inquired the reason for their presence and was told that they were checking the terminal points of the area because it would be used for an upcoming sports event.

Tolibas presented his identification card upon request by the guards. The guard said he insisted on the written authorization for their visit in the property from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

The guards later found out that the accused are members of the Greenpeace Philippines because of their banners. The accused took pictures of the property without the permission from the guards.

In fact, the guards claimed that they were forced to fire a warning shot to drive the accused away since they were already “uncontrollable and unruly.”

The prosecutor’s office issued the indictment without conducting a preliminary investigation since the imposable penalty of the offense is only arresto menor or a fine of not more than P200.   (FREEMAN NEWS)