Demolition turns violent

CEBU, Philippines - Violence erupted yesterday when residents fought back against members of the Cebu City Prevention, Restoration, Order, Enhancement and Beautification team who were assigned to demolish makeshift stalls in Sitio El Filibusterismo, Barangay Ermita.

Police arrested seven men for allegedly trying to block the demolition team and assaulting policemen.

Warwick-Barracks Homeowners Association, Stall Owners and Livelihood Association, Inc. President Perla Eraya said the demolition conducted by PROBE was “irregular”.

She said the act was inhuman and violated the rights of the market vendors because it was abrupt and they were not given notices. She also claimed some family members of the vendors were hit by the PROBE officers during the demolition.

PROBE chief Raquel Arce belied Eraya’s allegation that the vendors were not informed of the scheduled demolition, explaining that the clearing notices were served to the vendors last Friday. The vendors transferred to the area after Warwick-Barracks was hit by a fire last January 21. The blaze left at least 100 families homeless.

“Gihatagan na sila og chance nga mobalhin apan wa gihapon sila,” she said.

Arce said the vendors were clearly informed about the demolition during the series of conflict meetings with the market vendors, PROBE, Ermita barangay authorities, the Department of Engineering and Public Works and the Office of the Mayor, to give way to developments like the widening of roads, parking area and construction of a medium-rise commercial building.

“Ang mga vendors ang wa mosunod sa ilang gipirmahan nga undertaking nga i-clear ang area,” Arce said.

“If magbuot sila na magpabilin nga gubot gyud. Di gyud unta magmagahi kay kabalo na sila daan sa plano sa gobiyerno nga buhatan og padak-an ang dalan sa Warwick ug sa Freedom Park. Para ni nila, di para nako,” Mayor Michael Rama said.

Ninety stalls were constructed in El Filibusterismo and Freedom Park to house the reported 80 affected vendors.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said the standoff was predictable, however it was not alarming and threatening.

“Gamay ug dali raman ‘tong gubot. We expected gyud ang commotion mao nga nag-send mi’g mga police,” she said adding that PROBE will continue its clearing operations today to remove all the remaining structures on the said site.

Arrested

Police identified those arrested as Gerson Lacaron, 24; Jonie Deligero, 27; Niño Jumag, 22; Robin Jumag, 20; Bobby Tio Capuno, 41; Renaldo Batoto, 28, all residents of Warwick-Barracks, and Mark Anthony Abellaneda, 26; of C. Padilla Street, Cebu City.

Police said those arrested persons tried to block the PROBE team during the demolition.

Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta said he was upset at the residents who tried to block the demolition team. He said that there was a prior agreement between the city government and the stall owners wherein the latter agreed to voluntarily demolish their stalls and transfer to the stalls provided for the meantime.

He said that residents become rowdy as soon as the demolition team arrived. Some of them formed a human chain but when police arrived the situation worsened and some of the residents started insulting the police.

The policemen maintained maximum tolerance at first but later had to arrest the seven men when they allegedly started blocking the way of the demolition team and assaulting policemen.

An operative from Special Weapons and Tactics team was wounded in the head during the commotion.

Rupinta said he also became a victim of the rowdiness after he was hit by a bag filled with human waste. He had to go home and change clothes.

Those arrested claimed they were mauled by policemen during their arrest. Batoto said that he was hit in the mouth by a policeman while Abellaneda complained that a police officer punched his torso saying “gahi ni da”.

Lacaron also said that he had nothing to do with the commotion but he was still arrested by police officers.

“Igo ra gani ko mibadlong sa mga babaye nga ayaw mo’g apil diha, gidakop man ko sir, gisikad-sikaran pa ko,” he added.

Capuno and Batoto will be facing a charge for resistance and disobedience to persons in authority. Lacaron, Abellaneda, Deligero and the Jumags will be facing direct assault charges.

They are temporarily detained at the Carbon Police Station.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)