Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
The 4th Municipal Circuit Trial Court has found two members of the Bukidnon Free Farmers Agricultural Laborer Organization (BUFFALO) guilty of the grave coercion charges filed by Central Mindanao University.
In the court decision dated July 15, 2024, Ronelo B. Menente and Eper V. Hermoso were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of grave coercion. The two were sentenced to imprisonment from six (6) months of arresto mayor, as minimum, to three (3) years and six (6) months of prision correccional, as maximum, and to pay a fine of P10,000.00 each with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.
CMU filed the complaint after the BTL group violently attacked the university personnel in an attempt to remove shanties and structures illegally built at the Beef Cattle Project Area last November 21, 2023.
Menente and Hermoso were also ordered to pay P10, 910.00 as actual damages for the tractor owned by the university that was destroyed during the incident.
