Security tightened at Baguio City Hall due to ‘ninja cops’ spotlight

Baguio City Hall tightened security measures on Friday (Oct. 4) following the testimony of Mayor Benjamin Magalong over unresolved issues surrounding the so-called ninja cops at a Senate hearing this week. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Vincent Cabreza

BAGUIO CITY –– Due to the spotlight on Mayor Benjamin Magalong because of his expose at the Senate of alleged “ninja cops,” the Baguio City Hall instituted tight security measures on Friday (Oct. 4).

Security guards now frisk people who have transactions at the city’s clearance and business permit offices and have temporarily closed side entrances.

Policemen with bomb-sniffing dogs also roamed the City Hall compound.

Magalong returned to work on Friday after attending hearings at a Senate inquiry on the anomalous release of heinous crime convicts for good behavior, which focused on policemen suspected of reselling drugs seized during anti-drug operations in 2013.

City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña enforced security restrictions on Oct. 3.

“As the mayor himself disclosed, a lot of people are now threatening his life and it may also have an effect on our institution, he being the mayor, that’s why we deemed it best to adopt measures to secure our place of work, our employees and the public,” Dela Pena said in a statement.

Magalong said the controversy surrounding his Senate testimony should not stop him from undertaking the modernization and rehabilitation of Baguio’s public utilities, such as its drains and its parks.

Police K-9 roamed the Baguio City Hall on Friday (Oct. 4), after officials enforced tighter security following testimony given by Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong about “ninja cops” at a series of hearings conducted by a Senate inquiry into the release of heinous crime convicts. Photo/ Vincent Cabreza

He attended two events in the morning with only a handful of aides. Many residents who saw the mayor, cheered him, saying he was their hero.

But Magalong said he had secured his family as a precaution.

Many senators have offered to upgrade Magalong’s security. Senator Panfilo Lacson had offered the mayor a bullet-proof vehicle, the mayor said./lzb