SBMA Says Ocean Adventure Takeover Violated Freeport Proper and Lawful Procedures
SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has condemned “the use of undue force… in the takeover of the Ocean Adventure facility” on Monday night” (Feb. 13, 2017).
“The actions taken by the new SBMEI management headed by Mr. Scott Sharpe were clearly not in accordance with proper and lawful procedures strictly enforced in the Freeport,” SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said in a statement, demanding an explanation “within 48 hours…”
“From the presence of the PNP-SAF in the premises without prior coordination with the SBMA, to the sudden and forceful takeover of the facility’s security by another agency, these actions by the new management created a highly volatile situation,” Eisma said.
Sharpe has been quoted as denying the presence of PNP-SAF but the official report of the SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) said 18 PNP-SAF personnel were involved, even naming their leader, a certain Major Alfredo Solomon, Jr., which was beefed-up by seven (7) PNP personnel from Morong headed by a Captain Revillas.
Sharpe’s group is locked in an intra-corporate dispute with the group of Arthur D. Tai, president and chief executive officer and Robert C. Braun, board chairman, of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc. (SBMEI), which runs Ocean Adventure.
In a statement released by Sharpe earlier, he said he has taken over the positions of both Tai and Braun. He maintains that their action was lawfully carried out.
He also caused a copy of an Olongapo City Regional Trial Court decision, dismissing a case on the company’s ownership for lack of jurisdiction, sent to various media outfits. However, the said decision did not rule on the ownership of SBMEI/Ocean adventure but Sharpe and co. apparently used it in forcing their way to enter and take possession of the facility.
Meanwhile, Eisma has told Subic Bay News that SBMA will reject the application for accreditation of Philand Sec. Agency, Inc., which was contracted by Sharpe’s group for the takeover. SBMA requires accreditation of security agencies before conducting business at the Freeport.
“The SBMA Labor Dept. issued a Notice to Philand requiring the latter to appear in a technical meeting scheduled on February 20, 2pm to be informed of the rejection of its pending application for accreditation due to failure to observe SBMA procedures and processes,” Eisma said, “specifically its deployment at Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc. (Ocean Adventure) without prior coordination with both LED and the Labor Dept. and without a valid accreditation.”
An SBMA Regulatory Group official who asked not to be named said Philand Security Agency, Inc. will most likely be black-listed for its violations “that are serious as far as SBMA is concerned.”
He said further that they also await orders from the SBMA leadership on what action to take against what he called the “invaders” of Ocean Adventure.
Some Ocean Adventure employees are allegedly having consultations with lawyers for possible filing of criminal and civil charges against those responsible in the takeover that they say terrorised and detained them for hours, until Eisma and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino intervened on their behalf. -30-
