Illegal detention, grave coercion raps vs Taguig execs junked

MANILA, Philippines — Complaints for illegal detention and grave coercion filed against Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and three other city officials by three employees of the Makati government have been dismissed for lack of probable cause.

In a 14-page resolution issued on Aug. 2, the prosecutor’s office of Taguig junked the three counts of illegal detention and grave coercion filed against Cayetano.

Also cleared were Taguig administrator Jose Luis Montales, Business Permits and Licensing Office head Maria Theresa Veloso as well as Traffic Management Office head Danny Cañaveral.

Last March, Makati employees Salvador Mercado, Ryalyn Almazar and Salvador Palisa complained that they were harassed and unlawfully detained by Taguig personnel reportedly on orders of Cayetano.

Palisa claimed that he was locked inside the Makati Park and Garden for two days after Taguig personnel allegedly chained and padlocked the gates on March 1.

Almazar said he was trapped for hours at the Makati Aqua Sports Arena with other employees.

Mercado stated that he was confined at the Makati Park Amphitheater due to a permit issue raised by Taguig authorities.

Mediavillo also alleged that he was barred from entering the Makati Aqua Sports Arena by a man wearing a Taguig vest.

In its resolution, the Taguig prosecutor’s office said the complainants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their allegations.

Makati Park and Garden and Makati Aqua Sports Arena are in Barangay West Rembo, one of the barangays reverted to Taguig.

In 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, including the 10 enlisted men’s barrio or embo barangays, is part of the territory of Taguig.

The SC affirmed the ruling in 2023.

The 10 embo barangays are Cembo, South Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, West Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside and Rizal.