Robredo: No more cops at demolitions

MANILA, Philippines - After the violent demolition at the Silverio Compound in Paranaque City last week, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Robredo ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to refrain from extending police assistance to any demolition, pending a review of the law on informal settlers.

Robredo admitted that as DILG chief, he cannot stop any court from issuing demolition or eviction orders of informal settlers but he has the power to give orders to personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“For the meantime, I ordered NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima not to extend any police assistance to plan demolition while a review on policy and law on demolition are being reviewed,” he said.

One person was killed while at least 40 others were injured when members of the demolition team and local policemen clashed with informal settlers in the Silverio Compound last April 23.

Robredo said his order for the NCRPO not to extend assistance during demolitions will stay until after “pre-demolition meetings” are a standard practice.

As part of the review, Robredo said he has invited all stakeholders – including the PNP, Commission on Human Rights, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP), National Housing Authority, concerned local government units and complainant urban poor groups – to a dialogue next week in Camp Crame.

The DILG chief likened the scheduled meeting to a “timeout” called by a basketball team coach to give new instructions to his players to improve their performance, especially when they are performing poorly.

Robredo said he hopes to establish an organized and systematic policy on demolition activities because at present, there is no clear policy and regulations on demolition activities.

Under Republic Act 7279, also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, any eviction or demolition of informal family settlers is discouraged unless the affected residents have relocation or financial support.

Robredo, however, pointed out that the law permits demolition activities if the government has a pending project for the area or a court order.

Under Executive Order 708 issued last Feb. 26, 2008, PCUP was given the task of being a “clearing house” for demolition and eviction activities involving homeless and underprivileged citizens.