Miaque's businesses at Iloilo Airport stay

By Erly C. Garcia

Luck was on the side of businessman and newspaper publisher Bernie Miaque during Tuesday's implementation of eviction order against his businesses at the Iloilo Airport premises in Mandurriao district.

Though the court sheriffs successfully took over Miaque's giftshop inside the airport terminal they failed to completely remove Miaque's other businesses as a restraining order from the Court of Appeal's Special 20 th Division came out late in the afternoon of that same day.

The following day Wednesday, Miaque holding the CA's resolution ordered his personnel to return the goods taken out by the sheriffs from his giftshop.

A commotion ensued when Airport security guards prevented Miaque's personnel from entering the airport terminal reason why the Police Regional Office 6 sent a throng of policemen to secure peace and order.

A reporter of Miaque's Daily Informer was reportedly harrassed and threatened by a security officer of the Air Transportation Office (ATO).

Ariel Catubig reported to the Mandurriao PNP that he was threatened by ATO guard Nelson Zabala who was armed with a 9 mm pistol.

Because of the conflict ATO manager Allan Java sought the temporary cancellation of commercial flights to Iloilo City. However, the ATO national office reportedly did not grant his request.

Miaque reportedly scored ATO's “arrogance” and “acts of disrespect to the law.” He will reportedly file criminal and civil charges against ATO officials.

Meanwhile, Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Danilo Galvez instructed the court sheriffs to refrain from continuing the ejectment proceedings following the issuance of the restraining order.

CA's decision dated April 29, 2005 affirmed in toto the judgment of Judge Galvez stating that Miaque unlawfully detained several properties belonging to ATO. It directed Miaque and all his privies to vacate the subject premises and pay ATO P1,296,103.20 representing unpaid rentals and fees.

The court ordered Miaque to specifically vacate his refreshment parlor (Bernie's Place), the restaurant and giftshop inside the terminal building and the area occupied or used by Miaque incident to his operation of the Porterage Service within the Iloilo Airport.

It was learned that Miaque started occupying spaces at the airport in 1986.