STANDOFF STILL ON: More cops deployed to Ceres south terminal

POLICE officers armed with truncheons and shields barricade the Ceres South Terminal in Bacolod City, Aug 7, 2019. The standoff is an offshoot of the infighting between the Yanson siblings over the control of their bus company. (Dolly Yasa)

By: Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – The standoff between the group of Roy Yanson and his brother Leo Rey Yanson over the control of the Ceres South Terminal here reached its second day on Aug 7, 2019 after the PNP Supervising Office for Security and Investigation Agency (SOSIA) re-installed AGNSA security agency hired by Leo Rey at the terminal.

Atty. Norman Golez, counsel for Leo Rey, told reporters that a ruckus between employees  identified with Roy and the AGNSA security guards erupted after Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) officers assisted the SOSIA personnel.

The near melee happened when AGNSA security forces tried to remove the yellow steel railings around the administration building where Roy, his sister Celina, and more or less 100 supporters are holed up.

AY Security personnel hired by Roy have left the terminal.

Roy and Leo Rey Yanson are trying to seize control of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC) for more than a month now.

Leo Rey was ousted as YGBC president and CEO by four of his sibling.

Golez also said Celina declared a suspension of operations at the south terminal, leaving passengers hanging and waiting while others opted to ride colorum or unregistered vans plying the south portion of Negros Occidental.

 

POLICE BEEF UP

Colonel Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said an additional 120 policemen augmented the Bacolod City Police Office in keeping the peace at the terminal.

More or less 300 BCPO officers secured the area.

Baleros said the police officers are also in the area to ensure that the SOSIA order is implemented.

He said that the AY Security Agency was terminated based on an order citing a rule that no security agency should enter into a contract with a private entity, in this case YGBC, that is involved in a court dispute.
Atty. Raul Bitoon, legal counsel for Roy Yanson, said the suspension of operation of the South Ceres Terminal will continue until “the safety of the riding public is ensured.”

Bitoon said there are 386 buses plying the south routes.

He accused Leo Rey of not honoring the agreement with Roy that it will be the PNP that will secure the area and not AGNSA.

Binas however said the PNP is just following orders from Camp Crame.