Friday, November 9, 2007

Australian abused in South of Negros Occidental.


BACOLOD City: A known leader of a sugar planters group sought Gov. Joseph Maraons intervention on the alleged harassment committed by a foreigner who owns a private island resort in Barangay Tiling Cauayan South of Negros Occidental, reported the Panay News on Wednesday.

In his letter to the governor, sugar planter Manuel R. Lamata claimed that on October 30, 14 soldiers belonging to the 61st Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Tiling Cauayan led by a certain Col. Basco indiscriminately fired their M-16s despite the election gun ban.

The group is said to be escorts of the Hautea and Tongoy families, as well as Australian Peter Zewitsky, said to be the owner of Pitogo Island.

The said shooting incident caused alarm among residents of the coastal community, as the indiscriminate firing continued until November 1, said Lamata, adding that he saw the Australian citizen and his companion Raul Hautea firing the M-16 towards the water. The soldiers just watched and did nothing.

A Mr. Claude Schulze said he, his family and some guests went near the island to fish, confirmed having heard shots that sent them diving for cover. Schulze and his group decided to pack and return to Bacolod.

Lamata added this was not the first time the incident happened, which has stirred fear in the coastal community, reason enough to seek the governors intervention.

From Votester - Philippine Political News

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