Manila reminds public on vandalism law

FILE: Mismong si Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ang nagpakita kung gaano kahirap ang trabaho ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan na naatasang tanggalin ang mga bandalismong ginawa ng mga militante. (Photo: Manila Information Office/Facebook)

MANILA— After the walls of Araullo High School were defaced anew with an anarchy symbol this time, the Manila City Hall on Wednesday reminded the public on existing laws about vandalism and the penalties that go along with it.

“Lilinisin po ng school at ng city government ‘yong mga bandalismo (The school and the city government will clean the vandalized walls). We remind everyone po to comply with our existing laws, particularly Ordinance No. 7971 which penalizes vandalism in the nation’s capital,” Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) chief Julius Leonen said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

“Makiisa na po tayo sa ating hangarin na linisin at isaayos ang ating mahal na Lungsod ng Maynila (Let’s cooperate in cleaning our city of Manila),” he added.

Earlier, students of the said school allotted time and effort to clean the walls painted with slogans bearing messages like “Aktibista, hindi terorista – PS” (Activist not terrorist) and “Makatwiran ang maghimagsik– PS” (Reasonable to rebel).

PS reportedly pertains to a group called Panday Sining.

The new graffiti painted on Araullo High School’s walls now bears the prominent circle with a capital letter “A”, which stands for the modern-day symbol of anarchy.

A group has yet to claim responsibility for vandalizing the school property.