MANILA, Philippines – The tension between the Makati and Taguig city governments over Fort Bonifacio eased off on Monday, September 9, after Makati Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay made an “unannounced” visit to the Taguig City Hall.

Mayor Binay reiterated his offer to share with Taguig the revenues from Fort Bonifacio, the commercial hub that the Court of Appeals recently decided is under Makati’s jurisdiction.

Makati public information chief Joey Salgado said Binay also offered to let Taguig collect revenues from the Bonifacio Global City for “a certain period of time.” 

Cayetano said she would review Binay’s proposal.

READ: Fort Bonifacio Belongs to Makati – CA

Taguig and Makati are in a boundary dispute. In Early August, the Court of Appeals (CA) ruled in favor of Makati, reverting 729.15 hectares of land, including Fort Bonifacio and several “embo” barangays to the city.

But the Cayetanos – Mayor Lani Cayetano, her husband Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and brother in law Rep Lino Cayetano – have been adamant in saying Fort Bonifacio is “legally, historically, and factually” part of Taguig. They have pointed out that the appeals court decision is not yet final.

READ: Taguig police keeps jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio

Binay has been pressing the Philippine National Police (PNP) to formally turn over jurisdiction of Fort Bonifacio from Taguig to Makati police. Metro Manila Police Chief Supt Marcelo Garbo and Interior and Local Secretary Mar Roxas have both said that Taguig retains jurisdiction of Fort Bonifacio pending a final court ruling.

READ: Roxas to police: Stay out of Makati-Taguig row over Fort

On Sunday, September 8, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano issued a statement calling for the two governments to “renew our friendship and the camaraderie between out cities.” Taguig has filed a Motion for Reconsideration before the CA.

‘Open communication lines’

“What is important is lines of communication are open. Causes of tension within BGC will be removed,” said Binay. “Walang personalan. We want to avert any further violence. Nagkasundo na kami sa isyu na ‘yon (We’ve agreed on this issue),” Binay said in a Monday statement. 

In a separate statement released Monday, Cayetano said “no specific details” were discussed with regards to the territorial dispute. 

“We agreed to restrain our own people and promote peace and order. We are not compromising anything with this reconciliation effort and we would stick with our respective legal positions on the territorial dispute. We both recognized that it is not for us to decide but the court’s,” Cayetano said. 

Days after the CA released its decision, Cayetano called on Binay to be “responsible” in making statements about the legal battle. 

READ: Taguig, Makati in a ‘banner war’ over Fort

Charges against personnel of the Taguig Public Order and Safety Office who were caught “shoving and threatening” members of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council will push through, according to both mayors. –Rappler.com