3 hurt in tension-filled demolition

VISUAL AID. Sanlakas national secretary-general Aaron Pedrosa uses a blown up version of the City Hall order to explain why the shanties of the residents are not part of the demolition. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)

Clashes broke out as demolition of structures encroaching the Mahiga Creek in sitio Mahayag, barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City resumed yesterday.

At least three were hurt  after residents resisted the entry of the demolition team.

Carlo Ybañez, administrative officer of  the City Legal Office, who led the demolition team, was hit with a stone thrown by residents.

Lolita Feliciano, 57, claimed she was also hit in the head with a  tear gas canister that came from the City Hall team.

Another woman claimed she was hit in the head with  a night stick wielded by a demolition team member.

Residents barricaded the area at around 9:30 a.m. in a bid to stop the demolition team from tearing down their houses.

Chief Insp. Miguel Andeza,  leader of the anti-riot police squad, said however that it was the residents who threw tear gas at them.

A firetruck sent to reinforce the City Hall personnel sprayed water on the residents.

Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, national secretary-general of Sanlakas,  questioned the clearing operation.   He cited several violations by police whom he said should maintain a certain distance from the demolition area.

Andeza however explained that they have to come in to pacify the clashing groups.

Pedrosa also questioned why the shanties of the residents have to be torn down when these are no longer within the creek’s three-meter easement zone. “We are not against the relocation of these people as we are also looking at their welfare. But the right process have to be followed,” he added.

At around 2:30 p.m., Pedrosa together with around 50 families who brought with them their livestock, kitchen utensils, bed sheets and other belongings marched to City Hall and held a protest.

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