By: Emme Rose Santiagudo
THE City Hall can now expect stricter security protocols, especially on the bringing of firearms and other deadly weapons, according to City Administrator Hernando Galvez.
Galvez on Tuesday said that Mayor Jose Espinosa already ordered security guards to implement stricter security protocols, particularly in frisking persons who enter the building.
Ang aton directive sa ila, ang frisking dapat patas sang tanan, striktuhon wala sang pili-ay. The security guards were already ordered by the mayor na i-striktuhan ang pagimplement nga wala sang armas nga makasulod sa City Hall otherwise sanctions will be imposed, he said.
The move was prompted by the arrest of the two bodyguards of Councilor Plaridel Nava Monday afternoon where three caliber .45 pistols and a hand grenade were confiscated.
The unlicensed firearms and grenade belonged to brothers Julius and Roy delos Reyes who worked as job hires under the office of Nava and were also linked to the Jan. 4 ambush that killed two persons, including the cousin of Nava.
ALARMING
Galvez expressed dismay saying that the recent arrest of the two bodyguards of Councilor Nava was alarming.
It is alarming nga ang mga tripulante mismo sang City Council, nga ang mga boss nila gahimo sang mga kasugu-an nga dapat sundon, appears to have violated the law although they are presumed to be innocent. But kon matuod ina, that is alarming, Galvez said.
He emphasized that the firearms ban has long been implemented in the City Hall.
Biskan lisensyado pa firearms mo, indi mo na pwede dal-on sa sulod and all the more reason nga unlicensed firearm na. Madugay na naton nga pulisiya and it is with regret nga perhaps kinahanglan pa padumdumon ina, he said.
Galvez also lamented the executive departments lack of authority to conduct investigation on the matter.
Ang masubo lang biskan gusto ta imbestigahan, we have no authority to do so on what ground, ina sila under sa City Council, whereby ang administrative authority indi sa mayor kundi sa talatapan sang Sangguniang Panglungsod which is the Office of the Vice Mayor, he said.
He appealed to members and staff of the SP to comply with certain security procedures and standards.
Wala kami authority nga mag-issue mando or directive sa staff sang City Council, its up to them but we ask nga i-orient man ni sila kag i-require to comply with certain procedures, security standards. This could happen to other lawmakers as well. Kay te sin-o bi na masunod kon ang staff sang lawmakers naga-violate sang law, he said.