By the Bohol Chronicle
Businessman Frederick Ong sought the release of nine workers who were arrested by the police yesterday morning for alleged violations committed against coastal laws.
The 9 laborers, were among 42 construction workers who were contracted by Ong to repair a riprap in a beach property located in barangay Bingag, Dauis, were arrested by elements of the Dauis PNP and the Bohol Police Provincial Office for constructing the riprap that purportedly impede the 20-meter public easement.
According to the laborers, the police team showed them a cease and desist order issued by Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos which is in line with an executive order of Gov. Erico Aumentado prohibiting structures within the coastlines.
Most of the workers evaded as the policemen started rounding them up. The 9 cornered were brought to the Dauis Police Station and were later transferred to Camp Dagohoy , this city, last night.
Ong filed a petition for the issuance of a Writ of Habeas Corpus at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday for the release of the detained laborers.
Arrested were Jorge Orang Jr., Noel Cuas, Junrey Motoc, Romulo Birong, Benedicto Cagande, Eddie Roti, Armando Miasco, Jaime Racho and Renante Auxillo, all are workers in Ong’s property near the Panglao Island Nature Resort.
In his petition, Ong stated that the workers were arrested and detained without any legal authority.
According to the businessman, the arresting policemen did not possess any warrant of arrest that was issued by the court.
He stressed that the arrest and detention is illegal.. Aside from the absence of a warrant, no case have ben filed against the said employees before the fiscal’s office or before the courts.
“Clearly, their arrest was made in gross violation of the constitutional rights of the employees,†Ong added.
The petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus was made after the businessman, together with counsel Atty. Alexander Lim, failed to persuade the acting police chief of PNP Dauis SPO4 Mauro Sumaylo, to release the employees.
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