photo: Makati Cty LGU
Sufficient number of policemen will be present at the Makati Park and Garden to maintain peace and order amid the standoff between the local government units (LGUs) of Makati City and Taguig City over its ownership.
Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the presence of their men in the area is also aimed at ensuring the safety of all the people in the area and to prevent any form of violence that may arise.
This, as she revealed that both the personnel of the Taguig City and Makati City local government are maintaining their presence at the vicinity of the Makati Park and Garden.
“We are constantly coordinating with the concerned local government units. We are also maintaining our presence in the area to maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of kababayan,” said Fajardo in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
The standoff started on Sunday, March 3, when the Taguig City government ordered the closure of the Makati Park and Garden for allegedly operating without the necessary permit.
It is part of the ongoing battle between the two LGUs on boundary dispute and ended with the court recognizing the authority over the barangays and areas that used to be part of Makati City.
The Taguig City’s closure order angered Makati City Mayor Abby Binay who said that it was done while there were Makati City Hall employees inside.
Based on the report reaching the local police, the Makati LGU employees are being allowed to go out but would be prevented from coming back.
On the part of the PNP, Fajardo said that their presence in the area is more on the peace and order side.
“As to the ownership and management, we leave it to the concerned LGUs to discuss and resolve this in the proper forum. The PNP is not in the position to resolve whether that area can be opened in the absence of a permit, we leave it to the concerned LGUs,” said Fajardo.
“But we are continuously appealing to them to prevent any untoward incident and instead, bring the matter to the proper forum,” she added.
But in case that any violent incident would occur as a result of the standoff, Fajardo said: “If there will be violation of the law, or if there would be any untoward incident, the PNP will enforce the necessary action.”