Prosecutors drop coercion, detention suits vs. Taguig mayor, others

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (File Photo: Lani Cayetano/Facebook)

MANILA – Taguig City prosecutors have dismissed for lack of probable cause the illegal detention and grave coercion complaints filed against Mayor Lani Cayetano and three ranking officials of the city in connection with incidents filed by Makati City government employees.

In a resolution dated Aug. 2, Assistant City Prosecutor Duke Thaddeus Maog said the complaints against Cayetano, City Administrator Jose Luis Montales, Business Permits and Licensing Office Head Maria Theresa Veloso, Traffic Management Office Head Danny Cañaveral, and several unidentified individuals, were dismissed after “the complainants failed to back up their allegations with sufficient evidence to prove the existence of the offenses.”

The complaints were filed by Salvador Palisa, Ryalyn Almazar, Joven Mediavillo, and Salvador G. Mercado, all employees of the Makati City government, in relation to incidents that occurred between March 1 and 3 this year involving the closure of the Makati Park and Garden and the Makati Aqua Sports Arena (MASA) for lack of government permits.

The complainants alleged that officials and personnel from Taguig City unlawfully detained them inside the park and prevented them from either exiting the park or entering the premises.

The prosecutors also found that the allegations of the complainants do not prove the existence of the crimes charged and the evidence they submitted were simply inadequate.

The Supreme Court ruled on Dec. 1, 2021 that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, including 10 EMBO (enlisted men’s barrio) barangays, is part of the territory of Taguig by legal rights and historic title.

The decision became final and executory on Sept. 28, 2022.

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