DOJ orders NBI to probe Parañaque demolition

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday ordered an investigation into the violent demolition of a wet market at the Silverio Compound in Sucat, Parañaque City that left one resident dead and scores injured.

After a closed-door meeting with the affected residents, DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the incident to determine possible criminal liability of the policemen who clashed with the squatters in carrying out the demolition. Baraan directed the NBI to find out who among the policemen fired shots.

The DOJ official added that the residents are planning to file a civil suit against the local government of Parañaque and the Philippine National Police. He referred them to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

Baraan believes the residents were aggrieved since they were not the real parties in the expropriation case between the city government and Magdiwang Realty from where the writ of demolition was issued.

The PNP, meanwhile, said it would closely coordinate with the investigation of the violent demolition.“We have expressed our willingness to cooperate in the investigation and determine whether our police officers used excessive force in quelling down the demonstrators,” PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said.

Cerbo said the police was forced to use teargas after the residents became unruly when negotiations bogged down.“As seen on television footage, the demonstrators were hurling rocks, bottles, Molotov bombs and whatever else handy at our policemen. Aside from this, they also damaged several police and media vehicles during the minute incident,” he added.

Carrying a makeshift coffin, urban poor groups yesterday trooped to the Aquino ancestral residence on Times Street, Quezon City to protest the demolition. The protesters from Kadamay called for justice for the victims of the violent demolition.

30 people charged

At least 30 people were charged yesterday for their involvement in the riot sparked by the scheduled demolition of a flea market in Sucat.

SPO1 Fernan Acbang said the suspects were charged with resistance and disobedience to persons in authority, which carries a fine of P500 and imprisonment of one to six months.

Acbang said seven others, who are still at-large, were also included in the charge sheet.

Superintendent Jenny Tecson, Southern Police District spokesperson, said the suspects will also be charged with malicious mischief and illegal possession of improvised explosive.

Arnel Leonor died while 40 others were hurt when illegal settlers of Silverio Compound clashed with the police.

Moratorium on demolitions

An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday reiterated the call for a moratorium on demolitions in the wake of the violent clash between police and residents in Sucat.

CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa) Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that a suspension on demolition should be implemented if there would be no relocation sites and livelihood programs for the displaced families.

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, along with other members of the Makabayan coalition in the House of Representatives, filed House Resolution No. 2072 to investigate the violent dispersal of the residents of Silverio compound. – With Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan, Reinir Padua, Paolo Romero, Aie Balagtas See