A Canadian national married to a Filipina in Canlaon City, Oriental Negros, criticized what he calls as blatant violations of human rights, intimidation, alleged connivance of city employees and officials against individuals they cannot work with.

Canadian Eduard Preston, who is married to Saysan Sol Nobleza of Canlaon City, challenged the leadership of Mayor Judith Cardenas to prove her worth as chief executive in solving the killings during her term.

Preston said he believes that somebody could be maintaining a private army in Canlaon City with the presence of so-called "warriors," who are out to run after, not only their political enemies, but have no regard to foreigners and the people.

He called on the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Interior and Local Government, and office of the Ombudsman to conduct joint investigations on the affairs of the city.

Preston said there is more than what meets the eye in the recent arrest order against City Mayor Cardenas. She was accused of falsifying public documents in the purchase of a gold Nissan Frontier 4x4 costing more than P1.09 million, which was later involved in a shooting incident that left three of the mayor's farm workers wounded.

The Preston couple claimed that, since 1998, they have constantly been harassed and intimidated even while constructing their house on their lot in Villa San Jose Subdivision, Canlaon City.

They had applied for a permit as early as 1998 and paid the necessary fees but it was not acted upon, they said.

As a result, acting city engineer Zosilito Ongco informed Preston in April 15, 2002 that they had violated provisions of the National Building Code by occupying a house without a certificate of occupancy. The Preston couple received the complaint filed by Dr. Siegfredo

Cardenas and Elma Dayuday only on February 24, 2004 for alleged encroachment on their adjacent property.

Preston said he could only assume connivance between people in the administration to blackmail them, so they will be forced to get out of Canlaon City.

The couple said they also received a subpoena from the barangay that did not state the complaint, which they believe was another form of harassment.

Preston said these people should not only be changed but also investigated and charged.*JG S

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