CEBU, Philippines - “The Sunday violence was the first time in the history of Baybay. The people here are not of this kind because we are peaceful and law-abiding people.
I don’t know why Malot (Galenzoga) do not believe in the law: If she is protesting the results of the election, then only the Comelec can resolve it. She should have staged her protest rally at the Comelec central office or at the provincial office, because I could not step down just because she and her supporters wanted me to.
The police, in arresting about 700 people inside her residence, applied hot pursuit operations against them who reportedly tried to regroup, after the rally, and storm the City Hall again during my July 1 inauguration rites.
Contrary to news reports, there was no mauling of Malot’s supporters, and the CCTV footage can show it. The violent protest was pre-planned because their knapsacks were filled with stones that were used in assaulting the police cordon and barricade. There were no stones around the City Hall because the pathways are paved, so where did they get these?
Anyway, the senior citizens, women and children who were duped into joining the protest were already sent home by the police. They narrated that they will only attend a thanksgiving mass and then a party, but they were surprised why there was a protest rally after the mass.
Now, only a few remained in detention, and they were charged with five criminal cases, including illegal assembly and sedition, among others. Some of them who had the money were able to post bail and freed. Those who have no money were left behind.
I am thankful though that there were no casualties in the incident. I thank the PRO-8 officials and the military for containing the violence and restoring the peace in our city.
To the Baybayanons, let us be on guard always to maintain peace in our city, which has been known to be a peaceful place with peaceful people. Let us protect Baybay and help one another in pushing for development. Let us continue our work and our projects to make this city a better and harmonious place to live in.†(FREEMAN)