No breach by policemen in Mandaue conflict – CHR

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights sees no violation on the part of policemen who responded to the conflict during the demolition in Mandaue City last Tuesday – at least, for now.

Even with the initial findings, the agency will entertain complaints and will watch video footages from media to determine if the policemen indeed used unnecessary force for unreasonable reason, said Atty. Arvin Ordon, CHR Officer-in-Charge.

“The demolition is in accordance with the law because the area has to be cleared but ang CHR mosulod na if there are complaints of using unreasonable force for unnecessary reasons and its good if we have a video clip to check,” Ordon explained.

Illegal settlers have alleged that the cops manhandled them during the demolition. Policemen stepped in when members of the demolition team sought for help after some settlers allegedly threw stones and human feces at them.

“Since dunay resistance so normal ra gyud nga dunay ingon ana kay ang mga babaye mao man ang gihimong front liners,” he said.

Noel Cala, administration officer, said the arrest of Atty. Jose Aaron Pedrosa, the lawyer of the settlers, was valid considering he submitted himself voluntarily to police custody.

 “Siya man mismo ang niingon nga dakpon siya. Iya mang gitunol iyang kaugalingon, aw gidakop gyud nuon siya,” Cala said.

Police arrested Pedrosa after he tried to intervene when police tried to pacify the commotion between the settlers and Mandaue’s demolition team conducting a clearing operation in Sitio Mahusay.

He was eventually released from jail yesterday after posting bail to the obstruction of justice and disobedience towards a person in authority charges filed against him. 

The woman who was arrested with him, Jessica Suniega, was also released on bail. She was charged with a separate case for physical injury and disobedience towards a person in authority.

Pedrosa, 29, is the secretary general of Sanlakas, which is helping the informal settlers in sitios Mahayag and Mahusay.

Yesterday afternoon, a group of illegal settlers marched from Barangay Subangdaku to the Mandaue City Hall to protest the demolition but no official entertained them. They left eventually around 3 p.m.

Cala said the National Housing Authority has given relocation and cash assistance to the illegal settlers from Metro Cebu.

“Kini sila gipapili man nga kung relocation site ilaha makabalhin sila pero kung cash assistance ilaha okay ra pud pero once mahatagan na sila, dili na sila pwede maka-avail ug balik o ba kaha maka-avail ug relocation site mao nang uban diha gahi gyud kaayo kay ang nagpatuo nakabalhin na man sa relocation site ron,” Cala said.

Meanwhile, investigation will be conducted after some settlers alleged they are no longer in the list of beneficiaries of the relocation site in Barangay Paknaan despite them having started paying for amortization. Some also alleged that other beneficiaries have started selling their rights to the land. – (FREEMAN)