Byron visits Gwen, hits Garbo for psywar tactics

CEBU, Philippines -  A fearless Byron Garcia has surfaced at the Capitol yesterday to defend his sister, suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who has been staying in her office since December.

It was the first time Byron visited his sister since the suspension order was served on December 19, 2012 while the rest of their family celebrated their holidays at the Capitol.

“Naminaw lang ko sa panghitabo,” Byron said about his whereabouts in the past days. (I’ve been monitoring the events.)

Byron said that the presence of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel at the Capitol purportedly to physically evict the governor prompted him to come.

Byron challenged Police Regional Office 7 Director, C/Supt. Marcelo Garbo, to face him in a fistfight instead of his sister.

“Why is he taking up a fight sa akong sister, babaye man ni?” Byron said.

Byron said that he is giving tips to Gwen on how to counter the move of the policemen. He said that if Garbo wishes to get the second star of his rank, he must review their Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.

He stressed that uniformed personnel are required to salute to his sister even if she is suspended because she is the duly elected governor of the Province of Cebu.

“Kaning garboso nga Gen. Garbo nga pagka-garboso gyud intawon ning tawhana, di na gani mosaludo sa akong igsoon, pagkahilas baya ana niya,” Byron said.

But Garbo said this is being childish so he would rather ignore this. “Hindi na namin siya papansinin. Para siyang bata,” Garbo said.

Byron added that Garbo is employing superior force and psy-war tactics as if they are with a terrorist inside the Capitol. He challenged Garbo to set aside guns and they engage in a fistfight.

“Magsinumbagay na lang kaha ta, tan-awon nato’g isog ba gyud ka,” Byron said. (Why don’t we just trade some punches and see how far you’d go.)

He also warned that to physically remove his sister is a violation of human rights and no amount of order from the higher ups can justify that violation.

On this, Garbo said, “Hindi naman ako boksingero. Si Pacquiao na lang awayin niya,” Garbo said. (I’m not a boxer. Why doesn’t he go and fight Pacquiao.)

Also yesterday, Byron said that they received information about the plan of the provincial jail inmates to make riot that could lead to mass jailbreak.

This prompted acting Governor Agnes Magpale to visit the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Personnel of Special Reaction Unit of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were also deployed at the vicinity of  CPDRC.

Byron claimed that inmates at the CPDRC are sympathizing with him and the governor.

“Expect any development sa duha ka jail, BBRC (Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center) and CPDRC in the next few hours,” Byron said.

He also warned residents of nearby barangays Guadalupe and Lahug of a mass jailbreak.

Byron also claimed to be the father of the inmates at CPDRC when he made them known through Youtube as the dancing inmates when he was Capitol consultant on security and jail matters.

“Tagaan nato og trabaho si Garbo unsaon niya pag-handle ning jailbreak,” Byron added. (Let’s give Garbo some job to do and see how he would handle a jailbreak.)

Garbo wondered why Byron knew about this: “Manghuhula na ba siya ngayon?” (Is he a fortune teller now?)

Garbo said, saying that they are now focusing on the incoming midterm elections.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Mariano Natuel said they are on a heightened alert status for the jailbreak threat.

Natuel said he went to meet with the CPDRC warden over the matter who denied such reports.

“Peaceful ra man sa sulod. We don’t think man sad na mu-follow ang mga piniriso sa jail break,” Natuel said, saying that the lives of the inmates would be at stake because they will be forced to shoot them if they insist on escaping. —/JPM  (FREEMAN)