The Manila Police District (MPD) apprehended a man caught vandalizing a traffic island along Recto Avenue, announced Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday.

Domagoso said the local government will not allow anyone to deface the city.

“Lagi ko pong sinasabi: hindi natin hahayaan na babuyin ang Maynila na pinaghihirapan nating linisin at pagandahin,” he said in a Facebook post.

Hours later, on Monday evening, Domagoso posted photos of a traffic island and LRT-1 pillars covered in spray paint, and expressed his dismay.

“Nakakapanlumo naman po… Pinag-iisipan at pinaghihirapan po nating pagandahin, linisin at ayusin ang Maynila para sa ating mga Manileño. Tapos ganito lang po ang gagawin sa ating lungsod?” he wrote.

Later, Domagoso shared that a fresh coat of paint had been applied over the spray-painted writing. He thanked the City Engineer and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

The mayor has consistently called out vandalism, particularly in the aftermath of protests. Last year, following the November 30 anti-corruption rallies, Domagoso appealed to the public to refrain from defacing public infrastructure, lamenting that public funds that could have been used for social assistance were instead spent on clearing operations.

“Paulit-ulit na paalala: malaya ang magpahayag, pero huwag babuyin ang ating lungsod. Sa kabila nito, may mga nag-vandal pa rin sa mga pader sa kahabaan ng Padre Burgos Street—perang dapat para sa serbisyo publiko, mapupunta na naman sa paglilinis ng kalat nila (protesters),” he said.

“Nakakapagtaka: nagpoprotesta para sa tamang paggamit ng pondo, pero sila rin ang dahilan ng pag-aaksaya nito,” he pointed out.