Cop charged for firing gun in ‘illegal’ demolition

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman is being accused of firing his rifle during an allegedly illegal demolition at a subdivision in Quezon City last Thursday.

The complaint against Chief Inspector Ramon Cabili of the Quezon City Police District Station 2 was filed following a demolition that took place in Phase 8 of North Fairview Subdivision, according to Police Officer 2 Dennis Llapitan.

The complaint was filed by North Fairview Subdivision residents Jesica Yanguas, 43; and Sarifa Bosoy, 35.

Conchita Jopia, 58, a board member of the Samahan ng Makatao at Makadiyos sa Hilagang North Fairview, said that on Thursday, policemen led by Cabili and the city hall’s Control and Prevention of Illegal Structures and Squatting (COPRISS) reportedly went to their neighborhood to demolish houses there.

Jopia said it was reportedly done without a court order and orders from the Office of the Secretary to the Mayor. She said the demolition was illegal because residents were not informal settlers and had titles for their respective properties.

She said a group of land grabbers had been trying to claim ownership of the properties and even filed an ejectment case and a recovery of property case before the courts against the residents but these were eventually dismissed.

Bosoy claimed Cabili, along with members of COPRISS and Elite security agency personnel, barged into her house and dragged her and several other persons out.

Bosoy, who is pregnant, accused Cabili of firing his gun, scaring her. She said she experienced pelvic cramps as a result.

Yanguas said she and her 19-year-old son were beaten up by members of the COPRISS who were forcing them out of their home.

After going to the hospital and filing a police report, Yanguas said her family could not get back into her home, which is now manned by security guards.