‘Don’t disrupt operations at Subic’

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Investors in this special economic zone have appealed to President Arroyo to support them against moves that could disrupt their operations here.

Jose Saddul, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the freeport’s locators and workers are disappointed with reports about a protest rally being planned to pressure Malacañang to replace Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Felicito Payumo.

"During the first rally two years ago, the (chamber) sent a letter to Malacañang. Should there be any disturbance again, (we) would just remind President Arroyo about the request of the locators here," he said.

Reports are circulating that former Zambales governor Amor Deloso would replace Payumo. Deloso’s spokesman Cesar Villa claimed they were just waiting for Mrs. Arroyo’s formal announcement.

This, as Olongapo City Mayor Katherine Gordon, reports said, would mobilize her supporters to stage rallies to hasten Payumo’s departure and push for her selection as the next SBMA head.

Payumo, however, denied that he is on his way out. "I admit that there are those who covet my post and they are constantly lobbying in the Office of the President using their political connections but I’m not a bit bothered by it," he said.

The former three-term Bataan congressman said he would finish his "fixed term" as SBMA chairman.

In a statement, the Olongapo City government said it "has no plan to rock the boat of an already sinking ship like the SBMA."

A former volunteer, it said, brought up the idea of storming the freeport’s gates if the need arises.

"Those words did not come from Mayor Kate Gordon. She was merely voicing a personal sentiment of a former volunteer who’s exasperated over the shabby treatment Olongapo and its people are getting from Payumo," the statement said.

"Mob rule does not and will never exist in Olongapo. The people of Olongapo are disciplined and decent Filipinos who will not hesitate to fight for their rights yet responsible enough to know when to draw the line between civility and barbarism," it added.