By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Iloilo City government is offering a PHP15,000 reward for individuals who catch vandals in the act of defacing public portalets (portable toilets) installed along Iloilo Sunset Boulevard.
Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a statement on Sunday, Feb. 23, expressing disappointment over the vandalism of the portalets, which were placed to serve visitors in the area.
“I am saddened by the lack of respect for public property shown by those who vandalized the portalets we installed on Sunset Boulevard for the convenience of Ilonggos visiting to enjoy the area,” he said.
Treñas urged the public to remain vigilant and help safeguard public property.
He acknowledged that installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras immediately is not possible due to procedural requirements. However, he warned that continued vandalism could force the city government to remove the portalets until surveillance cameras are in place.
Treñas also called on the public to support the city’s green guards and the Philippine National Police in monitoring public spaces.
He reminded citizens that they have the right to perform a citizen’s arrest if they witness acts of vandalism.
Vandalism is defined as the deliberate act of damaging or defacing property belonging to another person or the public. Examples include writing, drawing, painting, or marking on public or private property without consent.
“These vandalized portalets are public property—they belong to all of you,” Treñas stressed.
