A scuffle between the residents and the local police erupted when a demolition team escorted by the police pushed through in demolishing the homes erected at the disputed land at Manggahan, Rev. Aglipay Street in Barangay Old Zaniga, Mandaluyong City.
Around 8:00 in the morning when some of the residents noticed a demolition team at the periphery of the City Hall with several policemen assembled at the adjacent community to which the residents raise alarm to their neighbors thus forming a barricade to secure the compound from the demolition threat as early as 8:30 in the morning.
10:00 in the morning when the 135-strong demolition team arrived along with 2 platoons of the local police armed with long firearms and a squad of SWAT. The residents were able to intially hold the barricade locking the community gate but were soon dispersed when the police threw teargas to the informal settlers.
The demolition orders came from a writ executed by the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 60 in Mandaluyong City favoring the plaintiff Royal Enterprises Inc., against the residents who claimed that the land has already been awarded by Royal Enterprises to the city government then lead by Benjamin Abalos Sr. by virtue of a resolution of the city council in 1994.
The demolition team were able to demolish a quarter of the whole number of houses at the 17,694-square-meter compound at 4:00 in the afternoon. Hundreds were hurt, some children were also brought to the near health center as they nauseated and had difficulty in breathing as they were not spared from the tear gas of the police.
The city government through Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr is yet to release any statement regarding the violent demolition.
Photos by Max B. Santiago
