The peaceful pre-campaign activities in Jagna, Bohol was abruptly broken when five residents of the town were caught destroying tarpaulins posted by the Jagna RISE Karon NaMovement(JRKNM) last February 26, 2016 near the boundary of Brgy. Can-uba and Brgy. Ipil.

Accused before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor with the crime of malicious mischief were Alfredo Serani, Melvin Serani, Eugene Serani, Gemon Cacayan, of legal age, residents of Brgy. Ipil, Jagna, Bohol and a certain Mr. Cagampang of Brgy. Can-uba, also of Jagna, Bohol.

According to. Neri Ocer, complainant in the case and chief operations manager of the Jagna RISE Karon Na Movement, he saw the group slashed and destroyed the tarpaulins he and his companions had just posted.

In his affidavit, Ocer alleged that after seeing Eugene Serani slashed the tarp and pulled it down, his other companion, a Mr. Cagampang, crumpled and dragged it across the street towards the house of Atty. Alex Villacastin. The others charged served as lookouts.

Mr. Joseph Rañola, president of the Jagna RISE Karon Na Movement decried the incident saying that the movement stands for barangay development and that it is unfortunate that politics is rearing its ugly head in the issue.

“The tarpaulin announces the programs of the Jagna RISE Karon Na movement such as infrastructure services, livelihood services, health services, education services, among others. We were educating the Jagna-anons that such services are available in the national government and that local governments should access these actively and conscientiously,” stated Rañola.

“In fact, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Cong. Anthony Bravo graced the launch of the movement last January 6, 2016 at Jagna, Bohol,” added Rañola.

According to Rañola, there were three similar incidents last December but they decided to forego taking action in deference to the Christmas season.

The five accused had earlier confessed to the crime in the Office of Lupong Tagapamapayapa of Brgy. Ipil but Ocer and the Jagna RISE Karon Na Movement refused settlement.

“One, two or three, we can let it pass. However, lesson must be taught that willful destruction of property has no place in a democratic and orderly municipality,”  Rañola concluded.