Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna—At least 15 armed men were arrested after they allegedly attempted to seize private land and disarmed security guards manning the property in Rodriquez, Rizal on Thursday morning.
Police however immediately released the suspects. A complainant, Ramon Entico, who is also the caretaker of the property, is questioning the action of the authorities.
Those arrested were identified as Jessie Patiño; John Mark Patiño, Norman Cadiog; Rafael Cruz; Bonifacio Rosario; Jose Birao; Rolly Binag; Ronnie Vendiola; Antonio Bocboc Jr; Lucky Visitation; Ronaldo Davillo; Arlie Aguirre; Narciso Ygot Jr.; Dao Ming Zhe Acoriba, and Jessie Marlou Patiño, all security guards.
Lt. Col. Marcelino Pipo Jr., Rodriquez Police chief, said they are preparing to file charges of trespassing, intimidation, threat, and land grabbing against the suspects before the sala of the Prosecutor’s Office.
The suspects stormed the area and disarmed the guards assigned to the 18-hectare vacant land and occupied it near a village on the top of Burol na Garden in Barangay San Jose, on Thursday morning.
Clashes in the area caused intense tension until the police responded and arrested the suspects who identified themselves as members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
According to Entico security guards Mohammad Mayare and Jaffar Mamundug, who were posted in front of the gate, were immediately disarmed and ordered by the attackers to get down on the ground.
According to a source, an influential politician in Rodriquez is behind the attempt to seize the private land. Felino Santos
