PNP vows ensuring peace and security amid Makati-Taguig row over city park

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is ensuring the peace and security in the Makati Park and Garden area as tension emerged after the Taguig government closed it citing the lack of permits.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that she had discussed the matter with the chiefs of Makati and Taguig police stations.

“On the part of the PNP, we are also maintaining our presence in the area to maintain peace and order and safety ng mga kababayan po natin (of our citizens),” she said.

Fajardo said the traffic management office and public safety division of the two local government units (LGUs) have been deployed in the area.

On Sunday, the Taguig government ordered the temporary closure of the Makati Park and Garden for allegedly operating without necessary permits.

In a statement, the city government of Taguig said the Makati Garden and Park, a public facility it claims under its jurisdiction, has no permits from the city hall.

“The said park and garden, which has been effectively closed as a park by Makati and used as garage for its heavy equipment and storage for various objects, is subject to Taguig’s jurisdiction which has the right to possess and administer the same notwithstanding Makati’s unlawful possession,” the Taguig local government said.

It said the closure was in line with its authority “to regulate any business, trade, or activity within the City of Taguig through issuance of a Mayor’s permit after submission of documents and payment of fees and taxes.

According to the Makati government, its employees were trapped inside the park after it was padlocked while members of the Taguig Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) were assembling outside.

 “The Taguig authorities should be censured by the concerned national agencies. For our part, Makati will take all necessary steps to protect and preserve our property,” it added.

According to Fajardo, the Taguig police said the Makati employees are allowed to leave the area but prohibited to come back.

“Patuloy po tayong nakikiusap sa mga personnel ng LGU in Makati na nandoon sa area sana maiwasan nga po ‘yung gulo at dalhin na lang po ang kanilang concern sa proper forum,” she said.

(We continue to appeal with the personnel of the LGU in Makati who are there in the area to avoid trouble and take their concerns to the proper forum.)

In a statement on Monday, Makati said Taguig was wrong in insisting that the former needs to secure a business permit to operate the park as it was awarded by the national government to Makati by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1916 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on October 14, 2009.

Atty. Don Camiña, city legal officer of Makati, said the proclamation has not been nullified and remains valid, according to the Supreme Court decision in G.R. No. 235316.

He added that said facilities owned by national government agencies and local government units are exempt from paying business and other taxes.

He further said Makati does not collect business taxes from the City of Manila, which owns the Manila South Cemetery located in Makati.

The Supreme Court earlier affirmed with finality a December 2021 decision that ruled that the disputed Bonifacio Global City belongs to Taguig.

The Makati Park and Garden is located in Barangay West Rembo and Barangay Cembo—which are among the Enlisted Men’s Barrios (EMBO) barangays the SC said were part of the territory of Taguig City.—AOL, GMA Integrated News