Davao police to enforce maximum tolerance in demolition

DAVAO. Task Force Davao Colonel Nolasco Mempin coordinates with leaders of the residents in Brgy. 26-C in Davao City who were protesting after news of demolition broke out. (Mark Perandos)
DAVAO. Task Force Davao Colonel Nolasco Mempin coordinates with leaders of the residents in Brgy. 26-C in Davao City who were protesting after news of demolition broke out. (Mark Perandos)

THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said it will enforce maximum tolerance for the residents who will try to resist the execution of the writ of demolition in Barangay 26-C, Salmonan, Quezon Boulevard to avoid violence.

DCPO director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said local law enforcers including the Task Force Davao (TFD) and augmentation from the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) will work hand in hand to facilitate the execution of the demolition issued by the court.

He added that there is no specific date yet for the next plan to implement the demolition in the 3,515-square meter plot in Salmonan whose settlers have formed an organization, Quezon Boulevard Muslim-Christian Neighborhood Association.

Meanwhile, DCPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said in an interview that they will not tolerate any hostile action by the residents that would endanger the lives of other people.

The demolition was supposedly set on April 17. However, residents in the area became aggressive and barricaded the south-bound portion of a street, while some of them carried woods and pipes to deter whoever would attempt to dismantle their houses.

The residents also contest the authenticity of the title presented by the claimant and urged President Rodrigo Duterte to assess it.

The residents were led by their barangay captain, Wating Usman; Maranao tribe Deputy Mayor Randy Usman; and Abdul Mahmoud Adilao, a local Muslim leader.

The affected residents are 67 households comprising of 34 Moro families and 33 Christian families who have settled in the area since 1953, when Salmonan was still a marshland. But, a certain Datu Bahajin Marcos Mahadali is claiming ownership of the land and has shown a title with TCT #2013002121 allegedly from OCT #40. But the residents claimed that the title is in "Barrio Tugbok, Lianga, Davao City" and not in Salmonan.

“We have controlled the possible hostile action that might happen so at least, if there is presence of police, the peace and order will be maintained,” Gaspan said.

The residents’ blocking of the one lane of the two-lane street is already a violation of the law but the police took consideration of the residents’ emotional state and dwell on peaceful negotiation without compromising the safety and security of both parties.

“The police are only following lawful order so we will enforce if there is court order... Maximum tolerance will be implemented as long as there are no illegal acts that will put the lives of any civilian, police or anyone (at risk),” she said.

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