Alimaong tribe closes water system in Pilar

CEBU, Philippines - An indigenous group, Alimaong, claimed responsibility in cutting off the water supply of the three barangays in Pilar, Camotes that has affected at least 950 families since last week.

Datu Bontito Leon Kilat, grand chief of Alimaong, said it was their supreme government called “Kinatas-ang Kahugpungan sa Kapupud-an – Datus sa Alimaong” which decided to cut the water supply of Barangays Lanao, Opao and Cawit because of the alleged failure of the consumers to pay the owner of the water source for 18 years now.

The consumers, according to him, have already incurred an accumulated obligation amounting to P5 million.

Datu Bontito yesterday tried to meet Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to question why elements of Special Reaction Unit of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were sent to the area without first investigating the case.

Capitol consultant and spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda explained that it was Mayor Jesus Fernandez, Jr. who requested for police assistance to execute his order to reconnect the water supply.

Sepulveda said that it is within the power of the local chief executive to look after the welfare of the affected residents.

But Datu Bontito said Fernandez’s act was illegal because the decision was rendered by their supreme government.

Sepulveda suggested to reconnect the water and discussed the problem with the mayor.

The water supply of the three barangays was cut off by a certain Regino Capillanes.

Capillanes, a member of the said indigenous group, hails from Mindanao and a son of the chieftain who owned the property. –(FREEMAN)