Sun-Star: Mikey's 'chief of staff' sued for grave threats

A man claiming to be a chief of staff of presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo has been charged for grave threats for allegedly harassing workers at a construction site in Baguio City. Sun-Star Baguio (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday afternoon that the chief of staff, identified as Lamberto Almeda, allegedly ordered presidential guards to stop work in the complainants' site Thursday. "We believe that members of the PSG (Presidential Security Group) are tasked to protect President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her immediate family. Why is it that they are now being used by their personal staff to harass ordinary citizens to get what they cannot get through legal means," complainants Francisco and Zelma Lopez said. They said Almeda, allegedly accompanied by seven heavily armed PSG members, that allegedly forced workers to stop work or be shot, at around 10:45 a.m. on Thursday. According to them, Almeda was supposedly brandishing a handgun. "For all we know, he may only be using the name and influence of Mikey Arroyo to get what he wants, thinking that this will not reach his boss' attention. However, we will make sure that this reaches Arroyo's attention," they said. The complainants said the incident stemmed from their request for the city government to investigate and demolish a concrete fence that was put up by Almeda in Chapis Village, Bakakeng Central. The lot was awarded to them earlier through a town site sales application. Their complaint was brought to the attention of Baguio City police director Senior Supt. Moises Guevarra. - GMANews.TV