1 dead, 3 hurt as fight erupts at Kadamay site

PANDI, BULACAN—A man was killed while three others were wounded on Monday when members of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) fought with a man who bolted the group, amid growing friction among families who took over government housing sites here.

Michael Capuz, 36, a construction foreman, was shot dead allegedly by Miguel Mortifero, a Kadamay member, during a fight before midnight on Monday.

Also wounded were Capuz’s companions, identified as Lorenzo Ofalsa, 34, Nimuel Capuz, 23, and Cris Baguinaon, 27, a teacher, from Quezon City.

Takeover

Kadamay led in March last year the takeover of idle low-cost houses meant for policemen and soldiers in six housing sites here.

Capuz joined a group of 124 families who broke away from Kadamay and negotiated terms with the National Housing Authority (NHA) so they could own the houses.

Last month, members of the breakaway group, Team JB, filed complaints of grave threat against Kadamay officials, who allegedly had been harassing them for transacting with the NHA.

Kadamay had not issued a statement on Capuz’s killing. But Kadamay had accused Team JB of threatening its members during a general assembly on Sunday.

Calling the breakaway group “a band of traitors,” Kadamay said Team JB members threatened to seize their homes allegedly with the help of the military.

The violence had prompted the Bulacan police to deploy 24-hour patrols at Kadamay-occupied houses here, said Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, provincial police director. —CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE