Legazpi City, Albay — Four protesters were arrested in a fray during last Monday’s attempted takeover of the now privatized Albay Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ALECO), here, as its new management firm, Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC), struggles to save it from financial hemorrhage.
Allan Marchan, general manager of APEC – a subsidiary of San Miguel Global Power Holdings, called yesterday for a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the new management and the protesters from the ALECO Multi-Sectoral Stakeholders Coalition (AMSSO).
“Yung request ko lang, is just give us a chance to do our work properly. You can practice all the democratic ways that you have, but please don’t resort to violence, don’t resort to hurting people, and don’t resort to breaking property,” appealed Marchan.
Last Monday, AMSSO head Bartolome Rayco; Karapatan Bicol Spokesperson Vince Casilihan; Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Spokesperson Hernan Certeza, and Kabataan Partylist Member, Carl Gana after leading protesters in breaking their way into ALECO’s main building, here.
Superintendent Rommel dela Rama, city police chief, filed charges of malicious mischief and grave coercion against the four after their actions resulted in damage to property.
Security guards who had alerted police reported that the protesters allegedly broke windows.
On the other hand, Karapatan Bicol claimed that responding police had committed blatant violations of the rights of the arrested, by failing to state the Miranda Doctrine.
Since January this year, Aleco has been managed and operated by APEC but was forced to hold office at Ligao Branch because of the protest rallies at the main office. The dispute between AMSSO, Aleco Interim Board, and the previous management were continuing.
Marchan assured that the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is committed to Albay, and hoping for an immediate resolution to the problem. source
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