Taguig POSO to file raps vs. Makati police chief for 'encroaching' on BGC

MANILA, Philippines - The head of Taguig's Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) on Thursday said they would be filing charges against Sr. Supt. Manuel Lukban, chief of the Makati Police for encroaching on Taguig's jurisdiction when members of the Makati Police entered the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on Wednesday morning and arrested a member of the POSO for alleged illegal gun possession.

POSO chief Kim Pautin however stressed that he will not shield members of the POSO who were involved in Wednesday's fracas that left injured a staff member of Makati's Barangay Southside.

"Let me reiterate that we do not condone misconduct and misbehavior in Taguig. Let all those guilty of such be punished to the full extent of the law," Pautin said.

"But on our part, we will be filing charges against Makati’s chief of police for encroaching in Taguig territory, well beyond their area of responsibility. There is no direct CA order for the Makati police to exercise jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio or BGC and, despite the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) directive, they still ventured into an area outside of their jurisdiction," added Pautin.

Pautin said that the Makati police lacked the authority to arrest the alleged POSO personnel inside the territory of Taguig. 

"Under the law, the area of responsibility should be respected at all times.

In this light, we also register our demand that Makati surrenders to Taguig all policemen and personnel of its MAPSA (public safety office), Engineering Office and other employees who encroached within our boundaries," said Pautin.

Pautin also called on Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay to exercise sobriety over the incident and wait for the final ruling of the court on the BGC jurisdiction issue. It would be recalled that the Taguig City government had earlier filed a motion for reconsideration with the Court of Appeals.

"Again, we call on Mayor Binay to exercise sobriety on this issue. We appeal to him to wait for a final ruling on the case. Please do not force the issue, which is the source of all these tension. Please refrain from issuing confusing statements, which only tends to create problems," he said.

Pautin said the Taguig City government continue to exercise jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio, including the BGC until a final ruling of the courts say otherwise.

Meanwhile, according to the Taguig City government, contrary to the allegation of Binay, Roger Orbillo, the POSO man who was arrested by Makati Police for illegal gun possession, remains under custody by the Taguig Police.