Cops nab 18 MMDA men for dismantling billboards

At least 18 members of a sidewalk clearing team of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were arrested by the Mandaluyong City police Tuesday after they were caught dismantling billboards at a Metro Light Railway (MRT) station along EDSA.

The MMDA workers were taking down banners, streamers and billboards installed by Trackworks Rail Transit Advertising, Vending and Promotions Inc. when arrested in successive operations at 11 p.m.

Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief, dispatched his men to the area following a complaint filed by Ed Felix, operations manager of the outdoor advertising firm.

Taken to the Mandaluyong City police headquarters for questioning were Cesar Bacani, the team leader of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG); Ian Vincent Villegas; Eusebio Olaso; Henry Dablio, SCOG driver; Pablito Miranda; Melogie Mantaring; Guillermo Taguiam; Francis Bagaria; Garry Sisalim; Edgardo Balaisi; Rogelio Sadullo; Noel Atchecoso; Jerry Lopez; Giovanni Montel; Reynald Popes; Manny Moreno; Benjie Linox; and Francisco Lieno.

First to be arrested were Bacani, Villegas and three others.

Initially, they were taken to the Mandaluyong City police headquarters to meet with Felix, who insisted on pursuing charges against the MMDA personnel.

At the station, PO2 Edmundo Fabella, officer-on-case, noticed that Villegas had a firearm tucked in his waist.

Villegas, who was in civilian attire, claimed he was a Philippine Army reservist and even presented a license for his firearm. However, he failed to show documents authorizing him to carry a firearm outside his residence, Fabella said.

Felix then received a call informing him that other members of the MMDA-SCOG were dismantling more billboards in the same area, prompting the Mandaluyong City police to arrest the 13 others.

Velasquez noted that Judge Luis Tongco, of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 155, issued a ruling last year that ordered the MMDA to refrain, cease and desist from dismantling, removing, or otherwise destroying the signage, banners, billboards and other outdoor commercial advertising installed or to be installed by the said company.

He said the Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision last Nov. 10, 2005.

At the police station, the complainant insisted that their billboards were legal and that they paid the required taxes and other business fees.

All their billboards have permits, Felix insisted.

However, the MMDA personnel pointed out that they had to tear down the billboards "since they were destroying the major thoroughfares of the metropolis."

When pressed for documents to sustain the legality of their clearing operations, the MMDA personnel were unable to produce them.

The 18 MMDA men were temporarily released at 1 p.m. yesterday pending the filing of robbery and theft, open disobedience and illegal possession of firearms charges.

Meanwhile, MMDA-SCOG chief Bobby Esquivel said the incident took place on EDSA near Connecticut street while his men were tearing down one of the billboards.

"They were invited for questioning, but were eventually charged. Hindi tinanggap ng fiscal ang kaso so the men were released," he told The Star in an interview.

Esquivel insisted the operation was legitimate and the police also erred when they confiscated the firearm of one of his men.

"Dapat ang hihingin mo yung papeles hindi yung kukunin mo agad ang baril," he said, adding that his men were treated unfairly.

Esquivel said he himself was among those charged because he heads the MMDA-SCOG, which is the subject of the complaint of the owner of the billboard. – With Michael Punongbayan