Police raps property owner in resort takeover
Police yesterday filed criminal complaints against a property owner and 10 other persons who forcibly took over the resort operated by an Australian national on Boracay Island.
The Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO) filed before the Aklan Provincial Police Office two counts of grave coercion and two counts of robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons against those who took over the Boracay Sandcastles Resort last Wednesday.
Named respondent was Editha Meren, owner of the lot where the disputed property is located, and Evangeline Dalino, former sub-lessee of resort operator Greg Hutchinson.
Also named respondents were Roberto Agsulio Jr., Rizaldy Salmos, Aries Aganon, Marvin Melegrito, Andres Gabato Jr., Romeo Alcantara, Hercris Natividad, Eric Dizon and Arman Dizon.
In its complaint, the BSTPO accused the respondents of two counts of grave coercion for allegedly forcibly entering the resort, breaking open the glass door and pointing guns at security guard Adier Elorde and Melchor Ferrer, nephew of Hutchinson's wife Viveca.
Armed security guards hired by Meren and Dalino took over the property Wednesday night claiming legal control over the property and because Hutchinson allegedly refused to leave resort despite the termination of their lease agreement.
But Hutchinson has claimed that the takeover was illegal because the 20-year lease agreement he had entered into with Meren in 1980 and extended it by 10 years until 2019 is still in effect.
The Hutchinson couple along with their 5-year-old twin children have been holed up at their third floor apartment room since the takeover.
The police also filed two complaints of robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons on the respondents for the alleged loss of Ferrer's cellular phone worth P7,000, P1,600 in cash, knapsack, bag, pair of shoes, belt, rice cooker amounting to P3,500.
Reached for comment, Meren said it is up to their lawyer to respond to the complaint.
"We believe we are the legal owners and occupants of the property," Meren said in a telephone interview.
Police earlier disarmed the and removed the security guards. At least eight policemen have also been deployed at the property.