Moreno: R10 village chiefs face arrest if involved in truck parking racket

MANILA, Philippines — A few days before he officially assumes office, Manila Mayor-elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned chairpersons of barangays (villages) along R10 Road that they will be arrested if found to be involved in the truck illegal parking extortion racket

“[Sa] lahat ng barangay chairman ng R10, ako nagpapaalala lang talaga, nakikisuyo ako sainyo, wag niyo nang antabayanan ang July 1…When I said poposasan ko kayo, talagang poposasan ko kayo pag nalaman ko na involve kayo sa mga ‘kotong’ ng illegal parking ng truck sa kalye,” Moreno said in a weekly media forum in Manila on Wednesday.

“This is a fair warning, don’t push me to the wall, i-implement namin ang batas. Hindi po ito para samin, para sa kaayusan po ‘to ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Hindi na po pwede yung P1,000 a day na parking sa truck,” he added.

No ‘holy cows’ allowed

Moreno further asserted that using authority to carry out illegal activities would not be tolerated.

“We will have them arrested…There will be no holy cows because you’re a barangay chairman. You cannot use your authority over illegal activities. So, I will not tolerate. If you do that…I will have them arrested,” Moreno told reporters in a chance interview after the forum when asked to elaborate on the matter.

He, meanwhile, assured that a proper investigation would be conducted prior to any action against those involved in the truck illegal parking extortion racket.

“Hindi ba fair na ngayon pa lang nagaabiso na ko sa kanila na tigilan na nila ang pangaabuso sa mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan. Yun ay pakiusap. Malamang hindi makinig. E di sinusubukan nila ang pamahalaan,” he said.

“Kasi, bago ko naman sila arestuhin, siyempre gagawa ako ng proof, basta by the time na ma-aresto ko sila, maghanap na sila ng pinakamagaling na abugado kasi I’m pretty sure we will not do it dahil lang sa tsismis,” he added.

He likewise called on the village chairmen to immediately clear the vicinity of the Del Pan Bridge in the city’s North Harbor area of illegally parked trucks.

“I’m calling your attention, total nakinabang na kayo ng mahabang panahon, siguro hind naman masama. I-clear ninyo yung [illegally parked trucks] pagbaba ng Del Pan Bridge,” Moreno said.

Moreno will officially sit as Manila’s mayor on July 1 after winning the mayoral race in the May 13 polls with a margin of around 140,000 votes against outgoing mayor and former President Joseph Estrada

He likewise called on the village chairmen to immediately clear the vicinity of the Del Pan Bridge in the city’s North Harbor area of illegally parked trucks.

“I’m calling your attention, total nakinabang na kayo ng mahabang panahon, siguro hind naman masama. I-clear ninyo yung [illegally parked trucks] pagbaba ng Del Pan Bridge,” Moreno said.

Moreno will officially sit as Manila’s mayor on July 1 after winning the mayoral race in the May 13 polls with a margin of around 140,000 votes against outgoing mayor and former President Joseph Estrada.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)