Muntinlupa on Saturday declared Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Gerald Bantag as persona non grata in the city.
In its 14th special session on Saturday, the city passed six resolutions "related to the illegal road closures and illegal eviction and demolition of informal settlers in the NBP (New Bilibid Prison) Reservation."
One of the resolutions declared Bantag as persona non grata, while another requested President Rodrigo Duterte to recall and/or overturn the actions of the BuCor director.
The BuCor has built three walls around the NBP compound without a permit from the Muntinlupa government. The latest one blocked the passage to and from Katarungan Village 1 and Village 2, which was destroyed by residents.
In response, the BuCor destroyed the road, which also leads to Muntinlupa National High School and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa.
"Ang mga apektadong residente ay mawawalan na ng access patungong city proper," said the city government on a Facebook post.
(The affected residents will lose access to the city proper.)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said that what BuCor did with the road did not have a permit and was not coordinated with the city government.
"Ang ginawang pagharang ng BuCor sa daan ay hindi lamang pagwawalang bahala sa Lokal na Pamahalaan kung hindi malinaw na kawalang respeto sa karapatan ng mga Muntinlupeño," he said in a statement.
(BuCor’s blocking of the road is not only concerning to the local government but also a clear lack of respect to the rights of Muntinlupeño.)
Another resolution passed on Saturday "strongly" condemned the actions of the BuCor and its officials on the road.
Another also requested the Senate to conduct an urgent investigation in aid of legislation regarding the sudden closure of the road.
The BuCor later issued a statement defending its actions, saying that it "stands firm on its position" in ensuring the safety and security of the prison facility.
"The measure is made in response to several incidents and reports on illegal activities perpetuated inside the NBP Camp," it said.
"The Katarungan Village residents have more than enough access points. They have access going to Daang Hari road. They also have access to Muntinlupa City Hall through the Green Heights Subdivision which they had temporarily closed by themselves in the past but can be opened for purposes of accessibility."
