Police tighten security at Pasay City hall

A day after dismissed Pasay City Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto successfully slipped into the city hall, tight security measures are now being enforced throughout the premises.

Around 250 policemen of the Southern Police District (SPD) were deployed at the city hall entrance.

Pasay Police chief Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio said the officers will remain on guard until the end of business at 5 p.m. "After office hours, police assigned at the city hall detachment will take charge to ensure that no untoward incident takes place," he said.

At least 80 officers were among those assigned to provide security at the city hall ground. Concrete barriers were also put up around the area.

Valerio added that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar gave orders for the police "to ensure that there is order in Pasay City and to maintain status quo."

The Court of Appeals recently issued a TRO on Calixto’s suspension but the DILG filed a manifestation before the Court of Appeals 10th Division requesting a clarification.

Meanwhile, Mayor Allan Panaligan said that SPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales had sent additional contingent of officers after Calixto allegedly threatened to return and try to get his job back.

He explained that security measures are implemented to protect employees as well as innocent people who are transacting at the city hall. Panaligan also wants to ensure that the city government’s operations are not disrupted.

Panaligan added he is consulting his legal advisers on what possible charges they could file against Calixto and supporters for sneaking into the city hall last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Arvin Tolentino is also mulling the filing of appropriate charges against Calixto’s group after some of them allegedly threatened two of his staff with guns.

After being turned away twice by the police, Calixto – together with dismissed Councilor Noel Bayona and a few supporters – were finally able to get inside the city hall building on Thursday afternoon.

A city hall employee claimed that security guards at the entrance were new on the job and that they just let Calixto’s group in without any questions.

Calixto and his supporters left the building around 4:30 p.m. after Valerio handed him an order signed by Rosales directing Calixto to leave the premises. Calixto had threatened to return yesterday but did not show up.

Calixto, Trinidad and eight councilors were placed on a six-month preventive suspension starting Sept. 1 last year for allegedly approving a P464.6-million worth of illegal garbage collection and disposal contracts in 2004 to 2005.

The Ombudsman later ordered the 10 officials dismissed, and installed former councilors Panaligan and Tolentino as mayor and vice mayor, respectively. – Rhodina Villanueva