CEBU CITY – A group of residents in San Remigio, Cebu is asking authorities to deport an American for his alleged unruly behavior.
Residents of Barangay Punta accused Sunny Miller of harassing them ever since he arrived in 2018.
Miller, 64, of Michigan, was arrested by the Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) last May based on the complaints of the residents.
The BI later discovered that Miller has been overstaying in the country. Miller was deported following his arrest but residents were surprised to see him returning to their place last June.
Prior to his deportation, the barangay council, in its session on July 16, 2021, declared the American persona non grata after residents filed a petition against him.
Last Sunday, 62 households representing 100 individuals gathered in an area near the American’s house to express their sentiments.
The residents questioned the return of the American after they suffered abuses in his hands.
According to the residents, the American claimed to own a 4,000-square meter lot in a coastal area. The residents claimed the American could not present documents to prove his ownership of the lot.
The residents said the lot that the American is claiming ownership of is owned by one Marlene del Gallego.
After the American built his house in their area, they were no longer allowed to pass in what they said a public road. The residents said they had no trouble using the road leading to their houses for years.
Before his deportation, the American padlocked the gate and residents could no longer pass through the road.
“When my husband died, we had to lift his coffin over the gate so we could just pass. He would not allow that the gate be opened for us to pass,” an elderly resident said.
The residents were also not allowed to swim in the sea fronting the American’s supposed property. “There was a time when he threw stones at children swimming in front of his property,” a female resident said.
Another resident said he had an encounter with the American after he was confronted while he was in the shore. “He was holding a bladed weapon so I struck him with a piece of wood,” the resident said.
There was also an incident when a fisherman was left bloodied after a physical confrontation with the American. "He accused me of being a thief," the resident said.
In a document obtained by the Manila Bulletin, one Michelle del Gallego-Ngo wrote then BI Commissioner Jaime Morente to seek help regarding Miller’s presence in their property.
“This person is squatting on our property and being a nuisance to the residents in the area,” Michelle’s letter said.
Miller did not face reporters who went to his house to get his comment on the accusations hurled against him. Some household members told reporters to just talk to the foreigner’s lawyer.