Suspended Cagayan mayor hits 'Gestapo-like' removal

MANILA, Philippines - The suspended mayor of Buguey, Cagayan decried what he described as a “Gestapo-like operation” by which he was removed from his office last May 19 by a contingent of over 100 policemen who he said acted without legal orders from higher authorities.

Mayor Ignacio Taruc said the police contingent cut off electricity to the town hall, padlocked the entrance door, and prevented anyone from entering its premises.

“They had me under ‘town hall’ arrest and prevented my family and supporters from bringing in food, water and (other) basic necessities,” he said in a statement.

Taruc said he had to leave the town hall to prevent bloodshed, as many of his supporters were allegedly beaten by the followers of a rival politician.

He said the provincial board suspended him anew for six months, but police prematurely implemented the suspension order without an official order from the governor or the Department of the Interior and Local Government and despite his pending motion for consideration.

Taruc said he has filed with the Supreme Court an extremely urgent motion for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the provincial board’s suspension order.

He said his ordeal started when he denied an application for a magnetite mining operation in the beaches of his town.