Alta Vista dismisses Aznar complaint as “unfounded”

CEBU, Philippines - The officials of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club yesterday described the complaints filed against them and the police officials as “unfounded”.

The club’s general manager Nimrod Quiñones said there was no truth to the allegations made by Angelica Sierra, director of Aznar Enterprises Inc. and Aznar Brothers Realty Co., in her complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Sierra filed criminal complaint for grave coercion against Quiñones, Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el, Supt. Marvin Sanchez, a certain police officer Arpon, and several unidentified policemen.

On top of it, an administrative complaint was also lodged against Police Regional Office-7 director Marcelo Garbo, Supt. Arnel Banzon, Natu-el, Sanchez, and Arpon for grave abuse of authority, and conduct unbecoming of government employees.

Sierra alleged that the above-named respondents forced to open the main gate of their property without any court order and destroyed the tarpaulins at the gate that says the property is privately owned by the Aznar Enterprises Inc. and Aznar Brothers Realty Co.

She claimed that the respondents replaced their security guards with the  Cebu Niño Security Agency owned by Ramoncito and Mcdonald “Dondon” Arquiza.

Alta Vista lawyer Arsenio Tan said the club has been operating peacefully with the Cebu Niño Security Guards detailed at the gate.

He said the act of the complainant by filing complaints before the anti-graft office was unlawful because they were the aggrieved party.

“Instead of us who will file…they are the one filing the case,” he said.

Ramoncito, a shareholder of the Alta Vista and owner of Cebu Niño Security Agency, said he received a report that 10 security guards arrived and padlocked the gate of the club on March 18 at 2:45 a.m.

He said their two security guards assigned at the main gate were overpowered by the smart wise security guards sent by the complainant. The incident prompted the club officials to seek the assistance of the police.

Tan said they will be filing a criminal case for perjury against Sierra.

Quiñones said the complainant lied when she claimed that they forcibly enter the property without court order. Quiñones said they waited for the police to arrive before they entered the gate.

Garbo on the other hand welcomed the complaints against him and his men. He however explained that they are not taking sides on the issue. Garbo said they were only doing their job.

Garbo said Alta Vista requested for the presence of the police prompting his men to respond.

“Wala tayong kinakampihan doon. The police were just there to maintain peace,” said Garbo.— (FREEMAN)