Local News

Baguio mayor 'admonishes' POSD

Maria Elena Catajan

MAYOR Benjamin Magalong confirmed there have been no sanctions given to any Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) personnel since controversy started last month.

The mayor said the investigation has been passed on to the City Legal Office, which has yet to give results to issues surrounding POSD.

As the year ends, allegations of abuse still hound the POSD as Madino Codasi, the visually impaired man accosted and fined for jaywalking weeks ago, filed complaint for violation of Republic Act (RA) 7277 as amended by RA 9442 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, cyberlibel and libel against the POSD both in the courts and at the Commission on Human Rights.

POSD chief Marvin Herrera's encounter with a vendor at the public market has also raised concern over rules of engagement of the group.

Magalong said he has admonished Herrera as the group remains on a status quo.

Weeks ago, the City Council called on the POSD to look at the legality of the entire organization and how to aid in legislation.

On the move of Councilor Art Allad-iw, tasks and designation of the POSD with the help of the City Human Resource Office, City Budget Office, as well as the City Legal Office to clarify its legal basis for operations and rules of engagement.

POSD was created through an executive order by former mayor Mauricio Domogan. It falls directly under the chief executive's office without any law being created by the City Council nor clear rules of engagement backing its operation and existence.

Allad-iw said the council meeting achieved to see the lapses of the POSD as an organization and has guided the August body on how to act.

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