CEBU CITY -- A group of homeowners led by a former Capitol consultant is preparing formal complaints against a subdivision developer for alleged violations of a Talisay City subdivision plan.
Byron Garcia, in a press conference Sunday, also urged Mayor Michael Rama to reevaluate the Cebu City Government's dealings with Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), which is developing a 50-hectare residential cluster and condominium at the South Road Properties (SRP).
But also on Sunday, an American and his wife who are Garcia's neighbors in the Corona del Mar subdivision in Barangay Pooc, Talisay accused him of poking a gun at them.
The incident did not appear to be related to the fact that the former Capitol security consultant and his allies took over the 200-strong homeowners' association.
Garcia denied pointing the gun at the foreigner. "Never point a gun unless you intend to shoot," he said.
The police identified the foreigner only as Mr. Morris.
AK47 rifle
His wife called the police for help after they were allegedly threatened and harassed by Garcia with an AK47 assault rifle Sunday morning, Senior Police Officer 2 Gerome Abatayo of Talisay Police Station said.
Garcia arranged for the press conference to discuss the homeowners' complaints about unfulfilled promises from FLI and the allegedly exorbitant water service rates.
"We have nothing to lose, because we already lost our dreams, which is an address by the sea," said Garcia.
Among Corona's promises were a white sand beachfront, a marina and a boardwalk, he and some of the homeowners said.
Garcia said that when the holdover homeowners' association officials, who live in Manila, directed them to buy a car sticker at P300 per vehicle from August to December, the homeowners protested and took over the association Sunday.
The new association officers posted their own security guards.
Water rates
Corona del Mar Phase 1 is a 34.4-hectare coastal subdivision.
Garcia said that FLI also made similar promises for their SRP project. "Ultimately, if they encounter the same problem, mobiya lang sila (FLI will just leave). Kinsa'y manubag nga tua 'man na sila sa Manila (Who will take responsibility, when they’re based in Manila)?" said Garcia.
Sun.Star called and texted FLI first vice president Tristan Las Marias but received no answer as of press time.
Some homeowners also complained they were being sold water from the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) at marked-up rates.
One homeowner, who requested not to be named, showed his water bill amounting to P42,000.
MCWD sells its water for P12.60 per cubic meter but FLI, Garcia alleged, resells it for P34 to P63 per cu.m.
Another homeowner, who also requested not to be named, said that the subdivision developer charged him P9,000 just to have a water connection installed at his house.
Garcia said the water pipe network is already part of the subdivision plan.
Plans
He cited the development of another subdivision Escala, adjacent to Corona, as one alleged violation.
Section 19 of Presidential Decree 957, which regulates the sale of subdivision lots and condominiums, holds the developer liable if he fails to deliver the promised developments, Garcia said.
He pointed out that Corona del Mar's advertisements and brochures in 2004 promised to give buyers "your dream address by the sea."
“These dreams they promised have turned into a nightmare,” Garcia said.
Also on Sunday, a Talisay City police team went to the subdivision not because of some homeowners' complaints, but to check out a report concerning Garcia.
They left after advising both parties to file their complaint at the station. But nobody came forward.
According to Garcia, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's brother, an American national tried to place a road barrier on the street in front of his house.
Removed
Byron Garcia said that upon the complaints of some residents, he and the guards removed the barrier.
The barrier was apparently intended to slow down motorists to protect children when they go out on the street, including the couple's one-year-old child. But Garcia said it was more likely to cause accidents than deter them.
While he was removing the barrier, Garcia said, the American shouted invectives at him and pushed him, forcing him to step back. He then took his licensed AK-47 assault rifle from his car and carried it on his shoulder just to "discourage" the angry American.
SPO2 Abatayo, part of the responding police team, said the incident took place outside the couple's residence at 8:54 a.m.
According to him, Garcia was biking inside the village when he saw the barrier.
Garcia reportedly told the couple they should have consulted him before putting up the barrier.
That's when the argument reportedly began.
By the time the police arrived in the area at 9:30 a.m., the ruckus already ended. (OCP/DSM/Sun.Star Cebu)
