The general manager of the Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA) on Thursday defended the three guards who barred the convoy of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay from using the gate of the subdivision on Banyan and McKinley Roads on Nov. 30, saying they did nothing wrong.

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“The rules apply to everybody,” DVA general manager Mike Bucoy said on Thursday. He said the subdivision did not have a “VIP policy.”

Bucoy was referring to the village policy prohibiting the exit of vehicles from the gate after 10 p.m.

The Inquirer reported on Wednesday that Binay had ordered the arrest of the three security guards after his convoy, which included his sister Sen. Nancy Binay, was prevented from using the gate close to midnight three weeks ago.

The guards insisted that the group could not pass through the gate, citing the village policy. The source interviewed by the Inquirer said the same policy was being followed by high-profile residents.

The 187-hectare Dasmariñas Village is home to the embassies of China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Mexico, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Sri Lanka and Turkey, and the consulates of Oman and Vanuatu.

Prominent politicians and celebrities who reside there include Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, former Sen. Joker Arroyo, former Tarlac Rep. Peping Cojuangco, former Speaker Jose de Venecia and singer Sharon Cuneta.

According to the source and the CCTV footage released by Inquirer.net, Binay called for the police who then arrested the three security guards.

Asked if the guards were reprimanded for what happened, Bucoy said they were alright and were still working at the village.

“Wala namang mali na ginawa iyong mga guards ko (Our guards did nothing wrong),” he said.

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This was echoed by Inquirer columnist and television host Solita “Winnie” Collas-Monsod who said: “The guards were correct… And Mayor Binay was obviously wrong. He was taking advantage of his position and trying to be above the law. And anything that goes above the law is wrong.”

Monsod, a resident of the village, said the village association was planning to commend the three security guards for doing their job.

“On our part we have not talked to Mayor Binay,” Bucoy clarified, pointing out that it was the security agency who spoke with the official.

Earlier, the security agency, which employs the guards, said it had apologized to the Binay camp.

But Monsod said, “the owner of the security agency has no business talking for the Dasmariñas Village Association.”

She said Ram Antonio of the Right Eight Security Agency was a supporter of Binay.

Bucoy said the village’s board tackled the issue in its meeting Thursday afternoon.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the DVA described the incident, quoting the security agency, as “unfortunate.”

“The management of our security agency has informed us that they have already directly gotten in touch with the Office of Mayor Binay, and discussed the matter,” said DVA president Jay Pantangco.

Originally posted at 05:12 pm | Thursday, December 19, 2013

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