COWD issues statement on April 16, 2025 incident

“THE Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) strongly condemns the apparent ilegal and unauthorized actions of Mr. Fermin V. Jarales, who presented himsetf as still the Interim General Manager of COWD despite the decision of the Court in Case No. R-CDO-24-02070-SC rendered on April 8, 2025.
The Court granted the Petition for Prohibition, declaring that LWUA Board of Trustees (BOT) Resolution No. 34, S-2024 is invalid based on Presidential Decree 198.
As such, LWUA officers, its Board of Trustees, agents, representatives including its appointed Interim Board of Directors and Interim Gerneral Manager, and all persons acting for, together with, or on behalf of LWUA are ordered to cease and desist from any and all
forms of intervention in the aftfairs of COWD.
On the morning of Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at approximately 10:00 AM, Mr. Jarales, together with approximately six (6) unidentified masked civlians, forcibly entered the COWD Administration Office located along Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City, by breaking the glass door at the Employee’s Entrance–causing injury to two (2) of our security guards, as well as panic and trauma to our customers and
employees during the incident.
Minutes after their unlawful entry, a contingent of heavily armed police personnel from Misamis Oriental arrived at the premises onboard a police mobile vehicle.
However, they were seen to have left the area
shortly after the arrival of the Cagayan de Oro City Police officers and the SWAT team.
During the incident, Mr. Jarales and his group took possession of various documents of COWD without any authority from the duly authorized officers of the District.
Some of these documents were subsequenty
recovered by the Cagayan de Oro City Police and endorsed to their office for proper inventory, along with two (2) official representatives of COWD.
At present, COWD management is conducting an additional round of internal inventory to determine whether other documernts or items may have been unlawfully taken from
the premises during the incident.
The management of COWD assures all employees that we have formally requested the City Police to identify the masked civilians involved in the incidernt so that the necessary legal acions may be taken.
Management has likewise requested the City Police to conduct interviews with the security personnel and employees who witnessed the incident firsthand, to help establish the facts of the case.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Cagayan de Oro City Police for their swift and decisive response following our request for their presence at the scene.
We also welcome their commitment to conduct a full, fair, and lawful investigation into the matter. In this regard, COWD formally questions the legal basis for the presence and operational conduct of the Misamis Oriental Police within the jurisdiction of Cagayan de Oro City, especially given their deployment in full battle gear – an action that understandably caused alarm and
distress among COWD employees and the public.
We likewise express our deepest apologies to our valued customers who were present during the incident and who may have been mentally and emotionally affected by the disruptive event.
In recognition of the inconvenience caused, COWD assures the public that any penalties, surcharges, or late payment fees arising directly from service interruptions or delayed transactions during the indident shall be waived.
Lastly, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all COWD officers and employees who stood their ground during this challenging situation, ensuring the protection of our customers and defending the integrity of our institution.
COWD remains steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law, transparency, and the continuous
delivery of safe and reliable public service.”