TENSION gripped residents whose shanties beside the Muslim mosque along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City were demolished by the authorities Wednesday, with eight injured, including a policeman.

Pasay City police chief Raul Petrasanta identified the injured as PO2 Rommel Merino a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team (Swat) of the Pasay City police; Datu Imam, 38; Macarona Baraocor, 40; Ruperto Resurreccion, team leader of the demolition team; Arsenio Quimbao, 36, demolition team member; Mel Estrada, 20, member of the demolition team; Larry del Pedro, 37, member; and Anthony Darlucio, 31, also of the demolition team.

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But Muslim community leader Abdelmanan Tanandato said three residents -- Hakim Husman, 50, shot in the head; Rajid Batalo, 7, who was shot in the chest; and Yacob Macalnas, 20, who was shot in the side of his body -- were killed by the demolition team.

He said the three sustained gunshot wounds from M-16 Armalite rifle and 9mm pistols used by members of the demolition team.

As part of the Muslim custom, the fatalities will be buried immediately at the Islamic Center nearby, he said.

Reached for comment, Petrasanta refuted Tanandato's accusation and said the police tasked to secure the demolition team fired only warning shots but did not aim at the protesting residents.

The demolition team arrived in the area located at Baranay 76, Zone 10, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City around 8 a.m. to demolish the shanties built beside the mosque.

But some 50 settlers started throwing stones and bottles at the demolition team and the police that serve as security escorts.

Authorities said some of the residents were also armed with improvised guns and Molotov cocktails.

This prompted the policemen to fire warning shots to quell the actions of the illegal settlers but not before hurting most of the members of the demolition team.

The 30-minute confrontation ended only when the residents gave in to the police and the demolition team.

Those injured were brought to the San Juan de Dios Hospital along with the policeman.

The office of Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad said the settlers have been notified properly about the scheduled demolition but they still refused to yield.

The area that is presently occupied by the settlers will be converted into a commercial center.

Anak Mindanao party-list Representative Mujiv Hataman condemned the shooting and called for an investigation into the incident. (AH/Sunnex)