Tension grips Makati, Taguig over BGC anew

MANILA, Philippines -  Tension gripped the Bonifacio Global City anew on Wednesday as Makati City policemen arrested a member of Taguig City's Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) for allegedly carrying an unlicensed gun following an altercation along Mckinley Road in Barangay Forbes Park.

Kim Pautin, Taguig POSO officer-in-charge,  assured the Makati Police that the incident will be dealt with properly.

"In Taguig, acts of impropriety and misconduct are not tolerated. If our personnel are guilty of such, then let the ax fall where it must. They should be dealt with in pursuance to the law," said Pautin.

According to Makati City Police chief, Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban, at about 11 a.m., a group of men was installing pro-Makati tarpaulins along Mckinley Road at about 11 a.m. when the member of the POSO appeared and grabbed one of the banners.

Lukban added that during the commotion, the still unidentified POSO member even grabbed a cellphone from someone in the crowd who was taking a video clip of him.

Lukban said the man then ran toward inside the nearby BGC area where he was followed by responding Makati policemen.

According to Lukban, although the responding policemen failed to catch  the man, they chanced upon and arrested another member of the POSO who was allegedly seen with an unlicensed gun.

Lukban said the unidentified POSO man with the gun was later turned over to the custody of the Taguig City Police.

"Out of respect, we allowed the Taguig Police to take custody of the suspect for inquest with the Makati Police serving as the complainant in the case," said Lukban.

Meanwhile, Pautin slammed the Makati Police for making the arrest inside Taguig territory.

Pautin added that the fracas started when a group pf men allegedly crossed into Taguig territory and attempted to install pro- Makati banners.

"Reports reaching our office indicate that the Makati personnel crossed the boundary line and attempted to install banners in Taguig territory. We also received reports that the Makati police also exceeded their jurisdiction by making an arrest inside Taguig police jurisdiction," he said.

"We hope that all of those involved will be dealt with accordingly, not only those from Taguig. All members of the Makati police who have violated the NCRPO directive should also be made to account for any wrongdoing. All the Makati personnel who overstretched their operations into Taguig territory should also be subjected to the same inquiry," Pautin added.

The NCRPO earlier said that at the moment, a status quo condition exists inside the Fort Bonifacio area which includes the BGC. Under the status quo situation, the contested areas remain under the jurisdiction of the Taguig City Police.