NOT even the festive and joyful spirit of the holidays could stop kababayans from sharing their sentiments, in response to the CCTV video that has become viral online. Such video showed how Makati Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay, Jr. and his troop treated the security guards in Dasmariñas Village, who prevented them from exiting through the Banyan Road gate close to midnight, per subdivision rules and policies.
The Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) prohibits all vehicles from passing through the gate after 10pm for security purposes. Vehicles have to go through other gates, including one just 200 meters away from the Banyan Road gate.
The CCTV video showed and as ABS-CBN News reported: “Tension ensued, with Binay calling for police and his personal security bringing out their firearms.The guards were later “invited” by the Makati police, but denied they were arrested. Police also claimed they had to verify the firearms belonging to the security guards.”
In an interview on Radio DZMM, Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said the situation turned for the worse, because the security guards manning the Banyan gate of the village called for back-up, who allegedly encircled the convoy.
DVA President Jay Pantangco defended the security guards, saying “Dasmariñas Village is a private subdivision. DVA stands by the actions of our security guards, who in performing their duty, upheld DVA’s existing policy and procedure during the incident.”
“The DVA board is still fully committed to continue to uphold our policies for the security and safety of our residents,” Pantangco added.
ABS-CBN News further reported that the four guards of Dasmariñas Village, who refused to allow Makati Mayor Junjun Binay’s convoy to pass a secured gate, have been given commendations and gifts by the housing association.
Mayor Junjun Binay’s father, Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay, Sr. defended his son and said the security guards of Dasmariñas Village should have accorded his son all the courtesy due him as mayor of the City of Makati.
In a television interview, VP Binay called the Philippine Daily Inquirer report on the altercation between his son and security guards at Dasmariñas Village on Nov. 30 “distorted.”
Senator Allan Peter Cayetano said the incident is far from over and needs further investigation.
On the other hand, Mayor Junjun’s sister, Sen. Nancy Binay said it is time to move on.
“It is really heartwarming to know that there are people who are not swayed by the malicious story in the Inquirer and spiteful posts in social media. It is apparent that there are people bent on putting the name of my family in bad light.”
“The so-called Dasmariñas incident happened three weeks ago and we have forgotten about it.”
“What was reported in the Inquirer had glaring biases and bends. The video does not capture what really happened. No amount of explanation would satisfy those who have never-ending dislike for our family.”
“All parties have already explained their sides and have resolved the matter civilly long before the news landed above-the-fold in the Inquirer.”
“In the spirit of Christmas, I pray that we all work for peace and reconciliation instead of kindling hate. The issue has already been good-naturedly settled-all’s well that ends well. This is a season of giving and forgiving,” Sen. Binay said.
Many kababayans shared comments against this sense of entitlement, which is prevalent among many government officials in the Philippines. They believe that this incident is a glaring example of such behavior.
Others raised the following points:
“I was once a Private Security Officer and an owner of a Security Agency and have had encountered a lot of these situations already, but never in my mind surrendered to authorities, who break the rules and regulations which we are bound to enforce. Security guards involved, please stand your ground to the end.” – Edgardo V. Lorenzo Sr.
“Sa aking pananaw lamang, para mabigyan ng kortesiya si Mayor, dapat nakipagcoordinate sila (mayor security) sa security guard on duty (at least) ahead of time/a few minutes in advance na dadaan si mayor sa gate na yan. Dito ay mabibigyan (ng pagkakataon ang) both sides na makapaghanda kung dapat paparaanin ang convoy ni mayor doon or hindi. – Jay Tee
“The curfew was implemented, nobody is supposed to go out of that gate. Bending the rule can appropriately be exercised [if it is] a matter of life or death, the type of emergency situation [where] Binay is already suffering from a cardiac arrest and is about to see the white light in a long dark tunnel, and not when he is just leisurely cruising the road with his guards in tow. The term ‘emergency situation’ might be too broad and an encompassing statement but here are some points to that 1) medical emergency concerning health and life-death situation 2) at the onset of natural calamity and/or threat to environment 3) at the rise of arms threat, foreign or domestic.” -John Ray Cabrera
Meantime, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian defended Mayor Binay in an Inquirer report:
“ Dasmariñas Village is not an independent country. I personally believe that the actions of the security guards are uncalled for and that they totally disregarded the authority vested on Mayor Binay as the father and leader of the city.”
“As the city mayor, [he has jurisdiction over the entire Makati], including Dasmariñas Village. They should remember that the village is not an independent state and he should be allowed to move freely within the city’s territorial bounds.”
“The security guards should have realized in the first place that they were talking with their mayor and as a matter of showing respect and as a courtesy to him, they should have [quickly allowed him and his group out of the village],” he said.
Gatchalian added that it was within Mayor Binay’s discretion to call the police and remove the security bar at the gate.
“If a mayor cannot enter or leave a property within the area of his jurisdiction because of supposed rules and regulations that were drawn and implemented by a group of private individuals, then this would surely diminish his effectiveness as the leader of his town or city,” Gatchalian said.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
