FLI threatens suit vs. Byron Garcia

CEBU, Philippines - A posh subdivision in barangay Pooc, Talisay City threatens to sue former Capitol security consultant Byron Garcia for arresting its maintenance plumber yesterday dawn.

Filinvest Land Inc., owner of Corona del Mar Subdivision, also threathened to file charges against the police who detained plumber Michael Almanzor, 27, a resident of Psalm Base, barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.

According to the police report, Byron, who is president of the homeowners’ association, accosted Almanzor for allegedly turning off the main line of the subdivision’s water supply.

The former Capitol consultant, who is also the brother of Governor Gwen Garcia, threatened Almanzor of criminal charges for “water terrorism.”

Garcia, who visited the Talisay City Police Station yesterday morning, said he personally received complaints from his neighbors saying their water supply was cut off since 12 a.m. yesterday to 5 in the morning.

He said at least 300 residents were affected.

Byron said they arrested Almanzor after learning it was him who turned off the water supply, and later turned him over to the police.

FLI, however, denied the incident was done without prior notice.

Reportedly, there was a memorandum sent to the homeowners saying there would be an inspection for the leaks in the water pipes when residents are already in bed.

But Byron said the memorandum was “unsigned” thus they did not honor such.

“Nakalimot ang Filinvest nga ang basic principle of a subdivision nga anything you do must have the consent of the homeowners actually

residing in the subdivision,” he said.

Dante Ramos of FLI maintained the arrest of Almanzor, who was only doing his job, was illegal, especially that Byron did not catch him doing the alleged crime.

Reportedly, Almanzor was sleeping in his quarters inside the subdivision when a security guard upon Byron’s order woke him up and arrested him.

He said their patience for Byron, who has been linked to a number of incidents at the subdivision, is already wearing out, and now they are set to file charges against him.

“I think we have already reached the limit of our tolerance. We will now make him answer for the illegal things he is doing,” he said.

Ramos said if the police refuse to release the plumber, the FLI will also file charges against them. (FREEMAN)