Subic firm seeks probe of failed takeover bid, flags PNP escorts
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The operator of several tourism facilities here has asked the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to investigate an alleged takeover attempt of two resorts by a convicted American national, who was reportedly escorted by policemen.
According to the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc. (SBMEI), a convoy of six vehicles arrived at the resort around 3 p.m. on April 8, allegedly led by American national Timothy Desmond, who had previously served sentences in the country for falsification of documents and perjury.
The convoy reportedly included two vehicles associated with the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) and four private vehicles.
According to Brando Agao, SBMEI’s head of security, he blocked the group from entering the premises after they failed to present a court order or proper authorization.
Witnesses said the group of Desmond remained at the gate for about an hour before leaving the area. Personnel from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) later arrived as the convoy withdrew.
PNP-IMEG, in a statement on Saturday night, denied escorting or assisting any foreign national during the incident.
‘Validation’
It said its personnel were at the free port to validate a complaint regarding the alleged presence of Special Action Force (SAF) personnel providing security services inside a private establishment.
The unit said the operation was conducted in coordination with the Morong Municipal Police Station.
But SBMEI president and chief executive officer Robert Ianne Gonzaga questioned the basis of the complaint cited by IMEG, saying that if a report alleged SAF or police personnel were acting as private security inside the resort, “that complaint was fabricated.”
“Filing a false report to trigger a police deployment is a criminal act,” Gonzaga told the Inquirer.
According to him, IMEG’s clarification that its personnel were present in the area but did not escort any foreign national raised “critical gaps” in the official account of what transpired at the gates of Camayan Beach Resort and Ocean Adventure on April 8.
“Two foreign nationals coordinated what appears to be a forcible attempt to seize a Philippine company. That is an immigration matter,” Gonzaga said, explaining why the BI must investigate the incident. The SBMA confirmed that the policemen had no prior coordination with the agency.
