Zafra charged for removing Type O posters

CEBU, Philippines -  A resident of Barangay Tejero filed a criminal complaint against Philip Zafra, chief of staff of Mayor Michael Rama, over the removal of ‘Type O’ posters.

A certain Catalina Enriquez filed a case of malicious mischief against Zafra who was designated by Rama to head  Operation Baklas, a move to removed illegal posters and streamers that violated a city ordinance.

This has affected mostly ‘Type O’ posters that proliferate in the city.

Enriquez, in her complaint, said that Zafra’s group, which includes some personnel of the city hall and armed policemen, went to their sitio on September 20 at about 10 p.m. and removed several streamers and billboards in the area.

She said the group included the tarpaulin bearing a print “Home of BOPK” posted within her property that costs P300.

“Bisan og akong hunahuna gusto mupugong, pero wala na lang ko nitingog tungod sa kahadlok kay aduna silay kuyug nga mga armadong tao,” Enriquez said in her sworn statement. (I did not stop them because an armed policeman was with them.)

She said Zafra’s group did not ask her consent and their action caused them P300 worth of damage.

Enriquez failed to identify the personnel from the city’s anti-squatting team and the City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team.

But Zafra explained they made sure they have the consent of the property owner before removing illegal posters, streamers and billboards.

He said there was nothing malicious in what they did as they were only performing their duty and mandate.

He said city lawyers will answer the complaint.  (FREEMAN)