200 cops storm Iloilo capitol to dismiss defiant governor

Some 200 policemen entered the Iloilo provincial capitol grounds on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to enforce a dismissal order against embattled Gov. Niel Tupas Sr, dzBB radio said. The radio report said the policemen, some armed with automatic rifles, sought to clear the capitol grounds from about 300 of Tupas' supporters who had been holding vigils there. Lawmen broke down the chain and padlock of the building’s gates at around 3:40 p.m. after Tupas' supporters refused to disperse in the face of a 15-minute ultimatum given by Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay, Western Visayas police director, to vacate the capitol premises. GMA News' Flash Report said some people have been injured during the chaos, although was unable to immediately provide exact figures. Provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada lambasted what he branded as an over-kill, saying the police exaggerated the security situation when they came in full battle gear and armed with M-16 armalites and rifles. "This is an unfortunate assault on our democracy, they just barged into the building, they forced open the gates in the capitol and broke down the chain and padlock. They come dressed in full battle gear as if there are hired killers here," Mejorada said in Filipino during an interview on dzBB radio. Mejorada claimed he and the lawyers of Tupas had asked Dulay to give them one hour to present a copy of the supposed temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals in Cebu, which he alleged was already signed by one justice by 3 p.m. Wednesday. He said the request was allegedly turned down, with Dulay claiming that he was under pressure from National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon, who in turn was purportedly being pressured by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to immediately impose the Ombudsman's dismissal order against Tupas. Tupas is now at a "safe area" inside the Iloilo capitol, Mejorada said, adding that, "We are making sure that he would remain safe." Interviewed over dzBB radio, Tupas asked his provincemate Gonzalez to observe proper legal procedures. He claimed to be in possession of enough documents to show that he should still hold office. "Please, please, observe the law," the Iloilo governor asked. Radio reports indicated the situation at the provincial capitol is now in a "standstill" as both Tupas' supporters and the police refusing to budge. Tupas sought a restraining order from the CA-Cebu Tuesday in a bid to stop the dismissal order issued by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The order was served on Tupas last Monday. - GMANews.TV