COMBINED police operatives successfully arrested fourteen security guards of a Manila-based security agency for alleged trespassing, forcible entry and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after they illegally occupied the cottage of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) inside the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) at Purok 1, Dontogan early Friday morning.

However, Police Col. Francisco Bulwayan, the newly installed City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), declined to provide the identities of the arrested security guards pending the filing of the appropriate charges against them before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Probers disclosed that at around 10:00 a.m. on October 4, 2022, 16 security guards of the 8 Dragons Elite Security Agency, Inc. based in Quezon City allegedly forcibly entered the closed premises of the property owned by the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR) situated at the BABRC without the consent of the agency and despite several no trespassing signages that were posted in the forested area.

The point of entry of the 16 security guards led by their operations manager was the concrete perimeter fence owned by Isla Land Developers, Inc. based at Phase 5, Green Valley Village. Some portions of the concrete fence were reportedly partially damaged with still undetermined value.

Once inside the government property, the security guards allegedly forcibly occupied the old BPI cottage by destroying the padlock of the said cottage.

The guards told investigators that a certain Mark Andrew Bandoc Directo, 38 and a resident of Moldex Residences, Marcos Highway, Bakakeng Central, Baguio City allegedly hired the services of the agency purposely to secure his parcel of land covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT), which is located within the subject area.

However, Lorelie Vargas, DA-CAR legal counsel, argued that the disputed area is actually owned by the agency and it is still under litigation in court.

She added that DA-CAR hired Baguio’s Finest Security Agency that has deployed security guards to secure the property since 2014.

  One of the representatives of 8 Dragons Elite Security Agency submitted to the police on October 6, 2022 a copy of the termination of the contract between the agency and their client.

At around 5:45 a.m. on October 7, 2022, the caretaker of the BPI cottage called BCPO Station No. 10 and informed the authorities that the same is still being used by the individuals who forcibly entered the said property without the consent of the agency.

Acting on the said information, at around 6:15 am on the same date, combined police operatives proceeded to the area and arrested the armed guards.

Two of the arrested guards surrendered to the authorities 1 .9mm pistol inserted with one magazine containing eight live ammunition and 1 caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition which was used by their group as their service firearms.

         The guards were not able to show the authorities the pertinent documents allowing them to own and possess the said firearms.

            Charges of trespassing, forcible entry, and violation of Republic Act (RA) 1059 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law are being readied against the arrested guards. – DAS