ILOILO CITY -- The Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against the enforcement of the dismissal order against Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr., minutes after hundreds of fully armed policemen assaulted the provincial capitol.

The two-page order released by the CA in Cebu City at 4:30 p.m. barred the Ombudsman, Department of Interior and Local Government and other government agencies from removing Tupas from office until the appeals court lifts the TRO.

The order signed by Associate Justices Francisco Acosta, Agustin Dizon and Isaias Dicdican was issued to "preserve the staus quo" and to "defend the rights" of the petitioners.

IN ESCALANTE
MGB recommends
immediate relocation
BY CARLA P. GOMEZ

A representative of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has recommended the immediate relocation of 60 residents of Sitio Baluc, Barangay Malasibog in Escalante City after an inspection of the cracks in the ground there yesterday.

Emma Jadoc of the MGB regional office said they found a creep, or slow down slope movement of soil in Mt. Lunay that could cause 13 families composed of 60 residents to be hit by a landslide. Jadoc said the movement could be exacerbated by rain that will further push down the soil.

The situation is very unpredictable, that is why we are recommending the total and immediate relocation of residents of the affected area.

Justify cop
chief's relief: guv
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon yesterday urged Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, to justify his move in ordering the relief of Senior Inspector Santiago Rapiz as police chief of E.B. Magalona.

It is okay if the relief was justified, there will be a backlash if it is not justified, Marañon said. Mayor Alfonso Gamboa had earlier challenged Franco to reveal the real reason for his order to relieve Rapiz as the town police chief on Jan 13, a day before the election period started.

Gamboa said he was officially informed by Franco that Rapiz was already overstaying as police chief of E. B. Magalona. In media interviews, however, Gamboa said Franco claimed he relieved Rapiz because of numerous complaints against him.