Violence erupts at MMDA demolition of QC market

A student was injured when vendors fought a demolition crew from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who dismantled stalls at an abandoned market along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday.

Vince Marin, a University of the Philippines student, was brought to the East Avenue Medical Center for minor injuries after he was hit by a piece of wood on the head and shoulder, said Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez,  Quezon City Police District-Station 9 deputy commander.

Hernandez said less than 50 stalls were destroyed since they were occupying a portion of the sidewalk that would be used for the MMDA’s road-widening project.

“It was actually an abandoned market,” he told The STAR. “Only a few vendors were occupying it prior to the demolition.”

There is a nearby terminal where students board jeepneys that ply the UP campus, he added.

Roberto Esquivel, MMDA Sidewalk Clearing Operation director, said protesting students took the side of the vendors, who had been given repeated notices prior to the demolition.

Esquivel said the vendors started the three-minute melee when they hurled stones at the MMDA demolition crew. No MMDA personnel or vendors sustained serious injuries during the melee, he added.

As for the injured student, Esquivel said he could file charges of physical injuries against the MMDA. – Reinir Padua