THE Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) on Wednesday, April 23, strongly condemned Fermin V. Jarales's alleged illegal actions, including unlawfully presenting himself as COWD's Interim General Manager.
This incident occurred on April 16, 2025, following a court ruling that invalidated a resolution by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
This paper tried to call Jarales three times for comment, but his cellular phone was unreachable.
On April 8, 2025, the Regional Trial Court issued a decision in Case No. R-CDO-24-02070-SC, granting a Petition for Prohibition that declared LWUA Board of Trustees Resolution No. 34, 2024, invalid.
The court ordered all LWUA officers and their representatives to cease intervening in COWD’s affairs.
In a statement, at about 10:00 am on April 16, Jarales, accompanied by six masked individuals, reportedly forcibly entered the COWD Administration Office.
This intrusion not only breached security protocols but also posed a threat to the safety of employees and clients present at the office.
Minutes after this unlawful entry, a contingent of armed police from Misamis Oriental arrived but left shortly after the Cagayan de Oro City Police and SWAT team responded.
During the incident, Jarales and his group seized various documents from COWD without authorization.
Some of these documents were later recovered by the Cagayan de Oro City Police, who are now assisting COWD in conducting an internal inventory to assess any further losses.
COWD management has formally requested the City Police to identify the masked individuals involved and conduct interviews with security personnel and employees who witnessed the incident.
The management deeply appreciates the prompt response from the Cagayan de Oro City Police and their commitment to a thorough investigation.
COWD management also raises concerns regarding the presence and actions of the Misamis Oriental Police within Cagayan de Oro City, particularly given their deployment in tactical gear, which caused alarm among employees and the public.
In light of the distress caused by this incident, COWD extends its sincerest apologies to clients affected by the disruption.
The organization assures the public that any penalties, surcharges, or late payment fees resulting from service interruptions during the incident will be waived.
COWD commends its officers and employees for their resilience during this challenging situation, affirming the organization’s dedication to upholding the rule of law, transparency, and the continuous provision of reliable public service.
