SPD cops tasked to secure Palar

Southern Police District Director, Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez, Jr., said yesterday he has assigned district policemen to be in-charge of the peace and order of Palar in Fort Bonifacio.

Gutierrez said that he also asked permission from the municipality of Taguig and Makati City to build a police sub-station in Palar, while the two local governments settle their dispute over who has jurisdiction of the area.

Gutierrez said he already had a dialogue with the legal counsels of both Taguig and Makati yesterday morning.

"I suggested that we build the outpost without reference to whether it is under Taguig or Makati. It will be an outpost of the SPD," he said. Gutierrez, however, said that Taguig police will handle "matters of investigation."

He also clarified that there is no structure being built yet and the construction of a police sub-station is still at the "exploratory" level. He emphasized the need for police presence and visibility in Palar as it is a known dangerous area.

Earlier this week, a barangay captain in the disputed area claimed that Taguig policemen stormed the area to start clearing the way for the new sub-station. Barangay Southside chairman Juanito de la Cruz claimed barangay officials were not informed of the project.

Makati continues to stake claim on the area but Taguig countered that the Court of Appeals has already upheld the injunction order issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court in July 1994 against the city. – Nikko Dizon