MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested on Thursday a lawyer who tried to stop the destruction of an informal settlement near National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Compound in Quezon City.
QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo said the arrested lawyer Noel Valerio, 54, is a legal counsel to the informal settlers living near the hospital.
In an initial investigation, Montejo said the demolition group composed of Quezon City Task Force for the Control Prevention and Removal of Illegal Structures and Squatting (COPRISS) served the demolition order against the illegal settlement and structures at the NKTI Compound in East Avenue Corner Elliptical Road, Barangay Central at 10 a.m. when Valerio supposedly intervened.
Police said Valerio tried to stop the authorities and allegedly ordered the illegal occupants to stay inside their homes while the demolition is ongoing.
This prompted security officers of Kamuning police to arrest the lawyer.
Montejo said the demolition order came after the NKTI requested the police and COPRISS to destroy illegal structures near the hospital for construction of a new NKTI Dialysis building.
Valerio is detained at Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) will face charges for disobedience to authorities and obstruction of justice, Montejo said.