Trapped workers, kids rescued

CEBU, Philippines — Ten people, including two minors, were rescued yesterday by the police and the social welfare office of Talisay City after being trapped for two weeks inside a disputed property in Barangay Lawaan II.

The five-hectare property, which is used as garage by Scorpion Taxi, was claimed by a certain Daniel Go. The latter ordered his caretaker, Daniel Gapol, to fence the property.

Gapol said they asked the people in the garage to leave because they will be trapped as soon as the fence will be completed.

Angel Tamban, one of the 10 people trapped, said they could not leave the garage because they were paid by the taxi operator to take care of the place. Tamban together with her husband and two children were trapped for two weeks.

She said they had to ask Sandy Aranas, security adviser of Scorpion Taxi, to seek assistance from the authorities because they could not leave the area and they have no more food provision.

"Lisud kaayo among kahimtang kay nasakit na akong duha ka anak, dili mi makaagi kay gisirad-an mi, pangtonolannalangmi’g mga pagkaon para makakaon," she said.

The property is still subject of a court litigation between Go and the owner of Scorpion Taxi.

Tamban said they did not leave the garage when Gapol asked them because there are at least 40 taxi units inside. She said they are afraid that something might happen to the taxi units and they will be blamed by the owner.

The rescue operation yesterday was supervised by Fe Bacaltos of the Talisay City Social Welfare and Development Office. The rescued workers are now in the custody of the taxi operator’s security adviser.

It was not also clear if they are filing criminal charges against the people who had them trapped. (FREEMAN)