San Dionisio town bulldozes blockade in alternate road

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Barriers gone.

The San Dionisio Municipal Police Station reported that the blockade in a contested land at Barangay Manduawak, San Dionisio, Iloilo has already been dismantled.

On Tuesday, it was reported that an improvised boom barrier was placed at Manduawak village to prevent residents from four barangays – Manduawak, Talo-ato, Amayong, and Batuanh – from passing through.

Motorists who wished to pass through were allegedly made to pay P50 and asked for the political candidates they are supporting.

But according to Lieutenant Jover Poghon, San Dionisio police chief, there was no bamboo boom when they inspected the area.

The local police also did not receive report that motorists were made to pay P50 to use the road.

He, instead, claimed that soil was dumped on the middle of the road to prevent four-wheel vehicles from passing.

But as of early Tuesday afternoon, Poghon reported that “na-clear na ‘yong lupa na harang at pwede na madaanan ng 4-wheel vehicle (the soil dump was cleared and 4-wheel vehicles can pass through).”

Poghon said the local government sent heavy equipment to bulldoze the soil that blocked the rough road.

It was gathered that the area in question was already placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Tenants have allegedly been given certificates of land ownership award (CLOA).

But the lot owners, only identified as Lopez Estate, claimed that it is still contesting the award.

Poghon clarified that the road is just an alternate route and that residents could still use the main barangay road

“But most of them prefer to use that road because it’s a shortcut route,” he said.

Even with the barricade, motorcycles could still use the area, but some chose to avoid the area.

As this developed, police have yet to comment if the said incident could also considered as politically-tainted.