Dateline Iligan. City gov’t to drive out suspended mayor supporters from city hall premises
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines
October 24, 2015
The City Government will drive out the supporters of suspended mayor Celso G. Regencia from the city hall premises allegedly for harassing and coercing city employees to abandon their work, thus adversely affecting government services in the city.
In a press conference held Wednesday at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (CDRRMC), acting Mayor Ruderic C. Marzo said, “The city government will not file charges against the supporters of suspended Mayor Regencia for their unbecoming behavior, but will drive them out of the city hall premises.”
He said he will exercise his duties and responsibilities as acting city mayor in accordance with the mandate of the law.
Marzo said that the Regional Director of the DILG, who installed him as acting city mayor following the suspension of Mayor Regencia for legal infraction, cautioned him to observe maximum tolerance in the face of the current realities and encouraged him to allow the DILG and the police to implement the laws.
Marzo issued a memorandum directing police and military officers to restore normalcy and peace and order at the city hall premises.
In his memorandum addressed to Sr. Supt. Raul Benitez, city director of the Iligan City Police Office, Col Gilbert Gapay, brigade commander, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and Lt. Col. Anthon Abrina, battalion commander of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Acting Mayor Marzo ordered them to restore normalcy and peace and order at the city hall premises, as follows:
1. All offices at the Administrative Building must be guarded by PNP personnel that no personnel will abandon his/her work station by reason of harassment or coercion from Atty. Rafael Benedictos and/or all other supporters of imprisoned Mayor Celso Regencia;
2. At the close of office hours at 5:00 pm today, all persons whether employees or visitors must completely vacate the City Hall Buildings particularly the Administrative Building;
3. At the opening of the office hours at 8:00 am on the following day, nobody will be allowed to enter the City Hall Building without valid ID and subject to standard search to ensure that no firearm, explosive, or contraband will be brought inside the City Hall premises; and
4. The Philippine Army is directed to provide augmentation forces to ensure proper implementation of the directive.
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