Bautista denies forging deal with Miaque's group
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista vehemently denied that he entered into an agreement with lawyer Rex Rico, counsel for airport concessionaire Bernie Miaque, not to deploy police personnel in areas that are subject of ejection order by the court.
Rico reportedly told Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Edgar Catilo who conducted an ocular inspection on the disputed site Wednesday that they had forged an agreement with Bautista.
The police director quickly called a press conference Thursday morning to answer the lawyer's allegations.
As such, Rico's statement elicited doubts on the sincerity of the police in maintaining peace and order at the Iloilo Mandurriao Airport.
Bautista strongly denied he sided with Miaque's group when the City Sheriff served the eviction order and turned over the properties to the Air transportation Office (ATO).
He even said, Rico was not around when the eviction order handed down by Judge Alexis Zerrudo of the Municipal Trial Court in the Cities was served against Miaque on March 31.
Bautista however expressed that he has no plans of confronting the lawyer for his statement.
Bautista defended that during that time he was merely asked by Miaque to talk to Rico via the cellular phone. He said he was only told by Rico that they have filed for a court injunction to stop the implementation of the eviction order in favor of ATO.
Bautista stressed he has no power to intervene on the case. He said they were there only to provide assistance to the sheriffs and maintain peace and order.
Meanwhile, Bautista ordered police precinct 5 chief Senior Inspector Kim Legada to probe the near shoot-out between the ATO and Miaque's guards including the possible liability of the police. Legada was also at the scene when the tension happened.
Police did not arrest any of Miaque's guards and several other people though they saw them carrying guns. Miaque's personnel ran and sought refuge at the Bernie's Refreshment when chased by cops.
This early, Supt. Ruperto Floro defended the "judgment call" of the police saying they have prevented a bloody incident by not apprehending any person from both camps but instead asked them to unload their guns.
Floro said, the cops' judgment not to enter Miaque's place has prevented the occurrence of further confrontation.