Civil suit vs gas firm dropped

CEBU, Philippines - The resident-complainants of the civil suit against Petronas Energy Philippines Inc. in the City of Naga have withdrawn their case in court.

At least 14 residents of Barangay Langtad asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and eventually an injunction to stop Petronas from operating its storage facility in their barangay.

Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro heard the petition yesterday after the respondents filed motion to dismiss.

Lawyer Julius Caesar Entise said his clients signed an affidavit of withdrawal to the case allegedly due to threats.

Entise accused Petronas and the local government of City of Naga, also a respondent to the case, for resorting to dirty tactics.

“By employing arm twisting means to dissuade the resident complainants to sign an affidavit of withdrawal to the case asking the court to correct an illegal act, the substantial objectives have not been served,” said Entise.

He said it remains incontrovertible that the Petronas LPG Terminal in the City of Naga, Cebu which has a capacity of over 2.2 million liters is operating illegally because it has no Fire Safety Inspection Certificate a pre-requisite in the issuance of a Business Permit from the local government unit.

Entise said it also remains incontrovertible that the Petronas facility which is located just 65 meters from adjoining properties violates the clear provisions of the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines and its implementing rules that requires LPG facilities of that size to be located 122 meters from adjoining properties.

“We now ask who is accountable to this public safety violation? And how can this illegal act be corrected?” Entise said.

He added that what happened today is just a temporary setback.

“Eventually, the rule of law will prevail,” Entise said.

In the hearing yesterday, Navarro ordered the parties to submit a memorandum while the next hearing is set on June 6.

Entise said he and other lawyers will ask another group of residents to pursue the case in court. —/JMD (FREEMAN)