6 arrested in Davao demolition

FOUR men and two teenage boys were arrested for interfering with authorities during Wednesday's demolition of 35 illegal settlements in North San Juan, Agdao, Davao City.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief, said the arrested were identified as Vicente Rosalada, Kim Pulido, Darwin Vallente, Primo Lopez, along with the 16-year-old and 13-year-old boys.

Of the six, dela Rosa said Rosalada was wounded.

The six allegedly threw stones and bottles on the policemen before the demolition was actually implemented.

He said they are set to file obstruction of justice and direct assault charges against them.

He said he is positive that no member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was involved in the scuffle, contrary to reports, adding that the demolition was "fast and furious".

Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Sheriff Edgardo Hofileña said the negotiation lasted for an hour before the demolition started.

Hofileña said that it was around 10 a.m. when the police started to enter the area and destroyed the barricades put up by the residents.

"Didto na nagsugod ug nilabayay ug botelya, bato, pati hugaw sa tao nga gisulod ug cellophane. Wala may Molotov bomb, na-prevent gyud kay tanan direction naay police nga gaatang (It was the start of the commotion when residents threw bottles, stones, and human waste placed inside a plastic bags. The throwing of Molotov bombs was prevented because policemen were positioned in all areas)," Hofileña said.

Aided with a map, he said, he was able to explain to affected residents about the court demolition order.

The residents in turn accepted the order.

"Ang ubang concrete na balay, wala ‘sa kaayo namo gi-demolish. Amo lang gibangagan ba, gikuha ang atop para dili gyud mapuy-an (Other concrete houses were not fully demolished yet. We just removed the roof, destroyed some parts so that the residents will not be able reside in it)," the sheriff said.

The demolition was initially scheduled on October 20, 2011 but was postponed after residents threw Molotov bombs at the sheriff and the demolition team.

The residents filed a motion before the court, manifesting that the plaintiff -- Davao Resources Corporation -- has no right over the land after they obtained a copy of the record from the Security Exchange Commission that it had revoked the status of its registration.

However, the court said the revoked status would not affect the substance of the judgment of the case.

The next demolition was again scheduled on September 26 this year but was again postponed since there was no go-signal yet for police assistance.

Superintendent Caezar Cabuhat, Sta. Ana police chief, said their security assistance came after receiving the order from the regional office.

He said around 300 police authorities were deployed yesterday, mostly from his office, mobile patrol group, intelligence division, among others.

The demolition of houses ended around 4 p.m.

In phone interview, Agdao Centro village chief Rene Estorpe said he already tasked some of his barangay personnel to assist the residents in their medical and transportation needs.

"As far as the barangay is concerned, I instructed some of my personnel nga i-mobilize ang mga residente ug tabangan sa pagbalhin," Estorpe said.

He said he is set to request a dump truck from the City Hall.

Despite the short commotion, he said he is happy that no one was hurt during the demolition.