ILOILO — A P28-million provincial road project in Calinog town has been thrust into controversy following allegations that men of Mayor Francisco “Ico” Calvo harassed and threatened construction workers, claims the mayor has strongly denied, calling them a smokescreen to excuse project slippage.
The allegations were raised by retired Police Major Charlie Sustento, safety officer of NK Enterprise Inc., the contractor that won the bidding for the road project funded by the Iloilo provincial government in June 2025.
In an interview with DYRI RMN Iloilo, Sustento claimed tensions began after Calvo allegedly failed to corner the project and escalated into a series of threatening incidents targeting the firm’s workers.
Sustento alleged that the first incident occurred on October 25, when two men aboard a motorcycle supposedly went to the construction barracks and threatened workers.
A second incident allegedly followed on December 12, when construction equipment was reportedly stolen.
Sustento claimed that the third, and most serious, happened on December 17, when armed men reportedly pointed firearms at workers.
He said the incidents were blottered at the Calinog Municipal Police Station, and police responded to the area, but no suspects were arrested.
‘Fabricated’
Calvo, however, dismissed the allegations as “fabricated,” insisting they were meant to justify delays in the project’s implementation and allow the contractor to meet billing requirements.
“Sa akon nga pagbanta mga almost three months dun nga pag-obra kang anda nga mga tawo daw wala man naga-obra. Ti, karon daw naglapas sa timeframe nga contract, siempre nagapangita guro sang paagi nga mangin counted nga maka-request sa province kon makapa-billing sila. Indi sila maka-billing kon lamang na sa kontrata. Sa pag-bill, dapat tapuson gid ang anda project sang 100 percent,” Calvo said in a DYRI RMN Iloilo interview Friday morning, December 20.
The mayor maintained he has no history of harassing contractors and stressed that Calinognons know him as someone who supports the speedy completion of projects in the town.
Calvo further claimed that he even offered assistance to NK Enterprise Inc. at the start of the project, including providing land for a stockpile and workers’ barracks, and offering sand and gravel to help speed up construction.
“Indi nanda ako pagpatong-patongan nga amo kadya. Waay kita it may ginapang-harass giiya,” Calvo added.
He further denied knowing any individuals who could have harassed the workers and rejected claims that such acts are tolerated in Calinog.
“Waay ti naga-amo amo nga mga tawo, waay naton ran ginatolerar. Ang mga tawo nga nagapamahug giya daw way na di sa Calinog,” he said.
Calvo also denied attending the June 2, 2025 bidding at the Iloilo provincial capitol and refuted Sustento’s allegation that he recently threatened him at a mall in Mandurriao district to disrupt the project unless a partnership was formed.
“Waay taton kapagwa ka istorya ka dya. Amigohay kami ni Major Sustento, pag-istorya man lang na ang kulang kay for example may naga-harass dyan sa mga tawo niya, dapat matawag abi kanakon nga mabuligan amo ka ray-a,” Calvo said.
Standing firm
Sustento, however, stood by his claims, saying they possess evidence.
“Ang mahambal ko lang kay Mayor Ico, indi ako gusto nga mahuy-an ka pa gid. We have a lot of evidence nga ara ka didto naga-negotiate. Ang imo bayo polo, may stripe nga blue. We have a lot of evidence,” Sustento said.
On the alleged mall confrontation, Sustento said several mutual friends witnessed the incident.
“Sus mayor, mahuya ka naman sa common friends naton didto nga nakabati. Damo-damo nakabati. Honest lang kita,” he added.
Addressing claims of project delay, Sustento said there was no slippage and that the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) could attest to this.
He explained that unfinished concrete sections were done on PEO’s instruction, prioritizing the construction of a box culvert to prevent road erosion./PN
