THE Pagadian City Regional Trial Court has issued an injunction barring the Pagadian city government from removing allegedly illegally installed close circuit television cameras in 38 barangays in the said city.
In a four-page resolution dated April 28, Pagadian RTC Branch 19 Judge Romeo Descallar said it found enough merit in the petition of the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur to warrant the issuance of a temporary restraining order.
“A temporary restraining order in accordance with Section 5, Paragraph 1 of Rule 58 of the Rules of Court is hereby issued, which is effective upon posting of the bond and valid only for a period of 20 days from the service on the Respondent, restraining Respondent Mayor Samuel Co and anyone acting for and on his behalf from dismantling, removing or taking the CCTV cameras installed by the Petitioner on the 38 barangays of Pagadian City,” read the court order.
It said that the provincial government may reinstall the CCTVs previously removed or dismantled in barangays Deborok, Dumagoc, La Suerte, Danlogan, Napolan, and Bomba.
“Petitioners at their own initiative is allowed to reinstall the CCTV in the barangay and Respondent is enjoined not to interfere the reinstatement of the connection,” it added.
In filing the case, the provincial government complained about the city government’s alleged “unjustified and arbitrary dismantling” of the CCTVs, which were installed for public security purposes.
Gov. Victor Yu said there was also no prior notice, consultation, or lawful order that would justify the removal of said CCTVs by the city government.
