No stopping Caloocan demolition

Four were arrested and scores were hurt after a clash between cops guarding the picket lines and residents, supported by caused-oriented groups, erupted as demolition teams from the National Housing Authority (NHA) started to tear down commercial structures sitting on Philippine National Railways (PNR) property yesterday in Caloocan City.

The ongoing demolition, ordered by PNR General Manager Jose Sarasola II, will pave the way for the construction of the proposed North Rail Development Project, particularly the first section of Phase I running from Caloocan to Malolos. Section 2 of Phase I runs from Malolos to Clark in Pampanga.

Chief Inspector Nestor Dioso, Substation 2 chief and ground commander at the demolition site, said while the team from the NHA was dismantling the structures, his men stood as back-up to avert unwanted violence.

Some 200 cops armed with truncheons and Armalite rifles were provoked by some of the residents and their militant group-supporters who continued to resist authorities.

Some 30 tenants who where leasing the space in the property have grudgingly accepted their fate and did not offer any resistance even as majority of the estimated 600 to 700 families in the disputed area continued to defy government orders to vacate the place.

Tenants at the eatery row on Post Office Road where the Metro Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) once held office could only watch helplessly as their establishments were torn down. They claimed they have not recouped their investment since operating their business in September last year.

Police said several residents and members of Anak Bayan and Bayan Muna started throwing stones at the policemen causing the authorities to charge them with truncheons. The 10-minute clash resulted in the arrest of Benjamin Cordero; Jeffrey Tagala; Ismael Cason, and Elsie Canu. Cordero and Tagala are members of the Anak Bayan.

Elsie Trinidad, NHA-Resettlement and Development Services Department head, said about 19 commercial structures and four residential houses located at the eastern side of the railroad tracks have already been demolished.

She also revealed that they would have about a month to finish clearing the area.