Cops secure dypac compound for demolition

MANILA, Philippines – Police secured anew Tuesday morning the demolition of illegal structures inside the Dypac compound along Juan Luna Street in Tondo, Manila where tension escalated Monday as residents barricaded their homes from the demolition team.

Senior Police Officer 2 Ceody Carmelo of the Manila Police District Station 2 said that 20 to 30 police officers have been sent to ensure peace and order while the demolition team resumed tearing down shanties inside the privately-owned compound at around 8:30 a.m.

He said that they have yet to receive information from the policemen deployed to the area but that no reports of violence during the demolition have been sent to their police station.

“May mga residente pa dun sa compound kaya nagpadala ng pulis pero hindi naman siguro magkakagulo. Natuloy na kahapon yung demolisyon, tinuloy nila kaninang umaga (There were still residents inside the compound so we sent police over but there was no commotion. The demolition pushed through yesterday and it was continued early this morning),” said Carmelo.

Yesterday, authorities and the residents of the Dypac compound clashed before the demolition could push through.

Superintendent Jemar Modequillo, chief of the Manila Police District’s Station 2 said that roughly a hundred families were affected in the demolition.

He said that most residents yielded to the demolition team after a discussion with police officers.