DOJ, BOC to end wall controversy
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Corrections (BOC) have reached a ” possible solution” to end the controversy surrounding the recent construction of a wall that restricted access of residents living in Katarungan Village in Muntinlupa to city proper.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra disclosed this development on Tuesday after meeting BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag at the DOJ main office in Manila.
” Director General Gerald Bantag was reportedly indisposed (so) BUCOR spokesperson Gabby Chaclag attended instead. We agreed on a possible solution to the road problem, but spox Gabby would have to secure Bantag’s conformity first,” Guevarra said.
BuCor has constructed a wall to a road giving access to residents of Katarungan Village 1 and Katarungan Village 2 on Friday, November 26.
The wall was torn down by angry residents. In response, BuCor destroyed the road on Saturday, November 27, Saturday, reports showed.
The road served as a main access point to the city proper of residents of the Department of Justice Katarungan Village 1 and 2 housing projects, and students and teachers of Muntinlupa National High School-Main and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, which are adjacent to the village.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said BuCor did not get a permit and did not coordinate with the city government before building the wall leading to the Katarungan Village.
The Muntinlupa city council has passed a resolution Saturday condemning BuCor for its latest action and requested the Senate to conduct a probe.
Last March, BuCor built a wall on the Insular Prison Road in New Bilibid Prison closing the main access point of the residents of the government’s Southville 3 housing project to the city proper.
For its part, BuCor defended the construction of the wall, saying it was necessary to address the “illegal activities” inside the densely-packed Bilibid.
“This measure is made in response to several incidents and reports on illegal activities perpetuated inside the NBP Camp,” BuCor said.
