DESPITE A MEETING early last week to call a truce between feuding factions in the South St. Andrew constituency, the problems seem to be far from over. This time, however, it is with paper that the war is being fought.
The feud escalated after the Good Friday murder of Anthony 'Chuncie" Folkes, a man who was described as a community worker and a friend of community leader, George Phang. Rival gunmen then traded bullets eventually forcing the schools in the area closed.
However, Member of Parliament Dr. Omar Davies had meetings with both residents and community leaders in an attempt to put an end to the problems. Last Tuesday, the feuding parties sat down and a peace of sorts was agreed on.
But, over the weekend a group calling themselves 'Concerned Senior Citizens of St. Andrew' dispersed hundreds of flyers throughout the community outlining a series of damaging allegations against George Phang, and members of his family.
Among the publishable allegations are that Phang has been seen brandishing weapons while in the company of high ranking members of the police force and the army. And that his brother, Andrew, is wanted for several crimes committed in the West Kingston police division.
The flier ends by saying, "May peace be with us but if George Phang and his gang stays there won't be any peace...only more wars."
However, the West Kingston police have staunchly denied wanting Andrew Phang for questioning in any offence and add that there are no outstanding warrants against him.
Meanwhile they add that George Phang is a licensed firearm holder and as such it is not illegal for him to have in his possession, or show lawmen his weapons.
Yesterday, another group calling themselves 'Concerned Citizens for Peace', responded to the charges levelled in the first flier against the Phangs.
In their letter, they say that many of the persons whose deaths people believed the Phangs were involved in, were actually killed by the police. The letter also describes George Phang as a real community leader and as being "a goodwill ambassador of peace".
The letter ends: "We are hoping and praying for an end to all of this and that our community can once again enjoy the freedom, peace and harmony that is evident especially when matches are played at the Tony Spauldings Sports Complex."
