Cops assure security for Aussie resort operator

MANILA, Philippines - Police assured the Australia Embassy of the safety of an Australian resort operator involved in a standoff over a property dispute on Boracay Island, an online news site reported. The News Today reported that Western Visayas police head Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas gave the assurance to Vice Consul Jayne Williams. "We assured the embassy that we will protect their national and all others involved in the dispute," Cuevas said. Last week, Williams visited Boracay Sandcastles Resort to check on the situation of Australian national Greg Hutchinson and his family. Hutchinson, his wife Viveca and their 5-year-old twin children have been holed up their third-floor apartment room since November 5. Armed security guards hired by Editha Meren and Evangeline Dalino took over the resort claiming legal control over the property. Meren and Dalino claimed Hutchinson allegedly refused to leave resort despite the termination of their lease agreement. Meren is the owner of the lot where the disputed property is located while Dalino is a former sub-lessee of Hutchinson. Cuevas said Williams was initially prevented from entering the property because the police were not sure of her identity. But she was later allowed to go in and meet with the Hutchinsons. Hutchinson claimed 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. On the other hand, Meren and Dalino has been allowed to stay at the property beside Hutchinsons apartment building. The two were among 11 persons charged earlier by police for forcibly taking over the resort. The charges included 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. 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 and a rice cooker worth P3,500. - GMANews.TV