Militant group slams violent dispersal at SM Mall of Asia

MANILA, Philippines – Militant group Anakbayan-National Capital Region said Friday that it condemns the violent dispersal of rallyists and some members of the media in the anti-demolition and anti-tree cutting rally Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia.

In a statement, Anakbayan-NCR said almost a hundred security personnel “violently” dispersed the lightning rally of some 40 youths led by Anakbayan-NCR who are standing against the cutting of trees in SM Baguio.

It also said that members of the mainstream and alternative media were, likewise, dispersed with their cameras being shoved and covered in what they say as the “most violent” in the series of mall trooping done in SM North Edsa and Megamall.

Solmayor, who was said to be among those dispersed during the rally, said security personnel were pushing everyone regardless of gender and size, adding that women were reportedly  touched in their sensitive parts as they were being pushed away.

She claimed that after the project being pursued in Baguio has been completed, Sy plans to demolish the houses of some 25,000 to 28,000 families in Silverio Compound to pave the way for a new condominium of the SM Development Corp., apart from the plan to build a floating casino at Freedom Island.