Does his mission justify his methods?

Granted he has the public interest to protect, the guy is vested with civilian authority.

Okay, so the facility used to be a military camp, but it had since been turned into a special economic zone, stupid!

And so many are asking: Is new Bases Conversion Development Authority president Arnel Casanova really about to turn the popular Camp John Hay into a garrison?

Ped Xing recently learned that this is now the fear among Baguio City officials and businessmen following reports that Casanova was allegedly surreptitiously building up a heavily armed group that would storm Camp John Hay and grab the facility from the current investor-developer, Camp John Hay Development Corp.

Casanova’s alleged planned armed take-over appears to be the solution he has adopted in his long-running bid to oust CJHDevco. Now, Baguio City officials and businessmen are seriously worried that Casanova’s move could take a serious toll on the city’s tourism and business climate.

It was learned that Casanova’s alleged preference for the use of armed force against Bases Conversion Development Authority’s investors did not come as a surprise. It turned out was the head of BCDA’s legal department when former BCDA head Narciso Abaya attempted to kick out another BCDA investor out of La Union’s Poro Point Special Economic Zone.

That alleged armed take-over attempt by Abaya and Casanova resulted in a stand-off which seriously damaged BCDA’s reputation. The plot eventually failed. BCDA failed to take over the facility and eventually had to settle the conflict with the investor in court. Last Ped Xing  heard, BCDA lost the case.

Pine City officials and businessmen now wonder why Casanova wants to use the same tactic again. The big worry is that should a standoff result in an armed confrontation, the resulting exchange of gunfire would put Baguio in a negative light. John Hay is Baguio ’s key historic site and tourist attraction, so when the smoke clears, the loss in tourist arrivals and revenues could be horrendous.

There ate two scenarios, and both are not pretty.

What if Casanova’s armed take-over attempt fails? The fear is that Casanova might decide to lay an armed siege on John Hay, preventing entry to and exit from the facility. Another stand-off? That is now Baguio ’s nightmare.

And what if Casanova’s armed takeover succeeds? The dread is that Casanova may have to transform John Hay into a garrison for a long while. He would have to put up checkpoints, barricade the area, and mobilize heavily armed guards just in case the private developer attempts to retake the facility from him.

Who would want to stay at the manor while Casanova’s armed group roams the area?

What puzzles people is why doesn’t Casanova take his quarrel with CJHDevco to court? Isn’t he a lawyer? Why the penchant for the use of armed groups to kick out BCDA investors?

And why use violent tactics when it had already failed miserably in Poro Point? Casanova may be a good lawyer, but there are doubts as to his capability to manage an armed confrontation.

It was learned that his partner in the Poro Point misadventure was a former Armed Forces chief of staff. Yet, they both failed to retake Poro Point despite superior firepower.

Why the uncommon haste to storm the facility? It may be safe to presume that Casanova wants another investor to run the place.

Ped Xing can’t stress enough that his target is a prime tourism destination. Any siege has a collateral damage, and tourists don’t like being caught in a deadly crossfire.

Casanova had earlier told media that the private investor is in arrears and should, therefore, be kicked out of John Hay pronto.  Fine. Casanova wants to collect rent.

But the law does not allow the use of violence even on hapless apartment tenants. He cannot just shoot his way through John Hay. He should ask the court to intervene.

As far as Baguio City officials, businessmen, and tourists are concerned, Casanova’s armed strategy is not acceptable. Baguio does not want to be another victim of Casanova’s Poro Power Point tactic.

* * *

CAMPUS CLIPBOARD:   The University of the East in Caloocan  presents a lecture un “Population, Environment, and Climate Change: Are We Ready for Another Sendong?” at 9 a.m. today at the UE Multipurpose Hall. UE College of Business Administration Dean Dr. Rogelio V. Paglomutan, an economist,  former assistant secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and a former deputy national treasurer, is the featured  lecturer. A recognized organization of B.S. Accountancy students at UE Caloocan campus, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, co-organizer the forum, is spearheading environmental awareness among the students and nearby communities in support of the government advocacy and action for clean and green environment in support of climate-change adaptation and mitigation to reduce vulnerabilities. The lecture aims to to stir up public consciousness given the realities of climate. For details, contact UE CBA-Caloocan  at 362-2907, or log on to the UE web site: www.ue.edu.ph.