Taguig says Makati ‘playing victim’ regarding closed riverfront park

Taguig is accusing Makati of “playing victim” as the two cities’ battle over land ownership sparked anew over the Makati Garden and Park. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Taguig accused Makati of “playing victim” as the two cities’ battle over land ownership sparked anew over the Makati Garden and Park.

The park along Pasig River is currently inaccessible to the public as the local government closed it down on March 3 “for operating without the necessary permits.”

Makati Garden and Park is located in Barangays West Rembo and Cembo – two villages included in the 10 Embo barangays which the Supreme Court said in 2022 are under the jurisdiction of Taguig City.

Makati called Taguig a bully and a land-grabber while the latter asserted it owned the park citing the SC decision.

“Nagkukunwaring biktima ang Lungsod Makati sa pansamantalang pagpapasara ng Lungsod Taguig ng Makati Garden and Park na nasa teritoryo ng huli. Pinaratangan ng Makati na bully ang Taguig sa ginawa nitong pagsara ng parke,” the local government said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

(The City of Makati pretends to be a victim in the temporary closure by the City of Taguig of the Makati Garden and Park, which is in the territory of the latter. Makati accused Taguig of being a bully for closing the park.)

READ: Makati hits back at Taguig over park shutdown

The local government further referred to Makati as the “expert of closing public facilities,” citing its January closure of some fire stations, health centers, and daycares in the Embo barangays.

“Makati ang tunay na eksperto sa pagsasara ng mga pampublikong pasilidad. Ang kaibahan nila sa Taguig, ilegal at imoral ang ginagawa nilang pagsasara,” it said.

(Makati is the real expert in closing public facilities. The difference between us and Makati is that their closure of facilities are illegal and immoral.)

Taguig then assured the public that the Makati Garden and Park will be opened eventually and used for the “right goals.”

“Ang pagsasara ng parke ay pansamantala lamang. Tinitiyak ng Lungsod Taguig na magagamit itong muli sa tamang layunin. Ibabalik ng Taguig sa taumbayan ang parke, at bubuksan itong muli upang kanilang mapakinabangan,” it said.

(The park closure is only temporary. We ensure that it can be re-used for the right purpose. Taguig will return the park to the people, and reopen it for their enjoyment.)

In addition, the local government said the illegal detention and grave coercion cases filed against its mayor, Ma. Laarni “Lani” Cayetano, and other employees were “publicity stunts” and that it will answer the allegations once it receives a copy of the complaint.