QC demolition turns violent

Police force pile up as the demolition team begin to dismantle shanties in Agham road in Quezon City Monday. PHOTO by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Violence erupted at Agham Road in Quezon City on Monday  after five truckloads of men forced their way into the area and demolished the houses of the informal settlers there, Inquirer Radio 990AM said.

Residents barricaded the roads of Agham and Quezon Avenue to prevent the demolition team from approaching the community.  Some of the residents, the report said, even threw pillboxes, bottles, rocks and waste at the demolition team.

But members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) fired tear gas and pushed the residents back with anti-riot shields.

The report said the residents could not do anything but watched as the demolition team tore down their houses.

Members of the PNP and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams were on standby, in case of another commotion.

A member of the demolition team was injured after falling off one of the houses he was working on.