Poro Point operations stopped due to tensions

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Operations at the seaport of Poro Point here has temporarily stopped since Sunday morning after tensions erupted between personnel of Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and security guards of the Poro Point Industrial Corp. (PPIC), a private port operator.

Avelino Munar, PPA port operation’s manager, told The STAR that operations were halted at Pier 1 and 2 when PPIC management and security guards prevented them from taking over the port operations based on the latest order from Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Munar said five foreign cargo vessels were barred from unloading their shipment at the pier because PPIC officials and security guards barricaded the port area and prevented PPA personnel from entering the port.

He said the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA and its subsidiary, the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), requested the PPA, through DOTC, to undertake operations at the seaport after a cease-and-desist order was issued against PPIC because it lacked an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Tensions heightened at around 3 p.m. Sunday when PPA personnel forcibly entered the port’s main gate. Resisting PPIC security guards clashed with them and nearly engaged in gunfight.

Responding team from the Philippine Coast Guard, policemen from the city police station headed by Superintendent Rolando Bersola, and troops from Camp Diego Silang controlled the situation by disarming the two groups.

However, at around 10 a.m. yesterday, tensions sparked again and four PPIC security guards were rushed to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center after they suffered injuries due to the trouble.

A PPIC official, who requested anonymity, told The STAR that they are determined to stop any attempt by the PPA to take over port operations because their order is illegal.

He said there is an existing injunction from the Regional Trial Court declaring them to maintain status quo.