Vendors, police clash in demolition

Vendors at Warwick Barracks in barangay Ermita in Cebu City yesterday attempted to resist the advance of a City Hall demolition team, claiming they were not properly informed of the clearing operation.

“Illegal ni ilang pag-clear kay wala mi nila paminawa. Walay consideration, gi-demolish mi dayon. Late mi gi-inform ug gi-pwersa mi karon (Their clearing is illegal because they didn’t hear us out. There is no consideration, we we’re demolished right away. We were informed late and were forced out),” said Pearl Eraya, president of the Warwick Barracks Stall Owners and Livelihood Association Inc.

Some vendors claimed they were maltreated by police even if they didn’t join the altercation.

“Daghang gipangkulata bisag wala nanghilabot. Unya ang taga -SWAT kay nagpabuto sa ilang gipangdala nga tag-as nga pistola (A lot were beaten up even if they didn’t join the riot. SWAT members also fired their weapons),” Emily Cuizon, 23 said.

Raquel Arce, head of the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team, said the vendors were informed of plans to develop the area last Feb. 6.

Vendors check on the remains of their stalls at Warwick Barracks in barangay Ermita after a demolition team cleared the area despite their resistance. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

CONSULTED

She said a notice of clearing was also issued to the vendors last Friday giving them three days to vacate before the city clears the area.

“They were consulted. There were a series of conflict meetings done by Probe, the barangay and the mayor. They are aware that they have to be cleared to pave way to a development of the area,” she said.

The Probe team cleared 24 makeshift stalls along El Filibusterismo St. and part of the Warwick site.

Arce assured that all vendors will be accommodated in the area prepared for them in block 27 of the North Reclamation Area.

“They will be accommodated, there are 90 stalls prepared for them. And based on the markets office records, only 80 are affected,” she said.

The El Filibusterismo St. has to be closed for the city to start developing a new diversion road near the fire site.

Seven residents were detained at the Carbon police precinct as a result of the altercation.

But there is still no schedule on the relocation site inside the garage of the Department of Public Services’ vehicles.

Tents were set up but there’s still no water or power lines.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama inspected the site last weekend and was unsatisfied with what he saw.

“I’m not happy. It should be the same as the Devotee City,” he said.

Arce said they will develop the relocation site before transferring the victims.