Angeles City cops probe ‘violent’ demolition try after 7 villagers hurt

The road leading to SitIo Balubad in Anunas village, Angeles City is blocked by burning tires and other objects to prevent the demolition team from entering the sub-village in this photo taken on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Angeles City Police Office)

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Police in Angeles City on Tuesday assured the public that they were already investigating the scuffle resulting from an attempt to demolish some houses at Sitio (sub-village) Balubad in Anunas village amid a land dispute.

At least seven people were wounded after armed men reportedly fired shots during an intense confrontation between the residents and the demolition team.

In a statement, the Angeles City police said they were “deeply concerned about the recent incident surrounding the demolition activities in Anunas,” adding that their primary goal was the safety and well-being of all individuals affected by the attempted demolition.

“The situation is being thoroughly assessed to understand the circumstances that led to these injuries. We are committed to cooperating with relevant authorities and conducting a transparent investigation into the matter,” police said.

The residents managed to fend off the demolition team, which was accompanied by policemen and security guards, by hurling bottles and rocks and burning tires on the road.

Seven of the residents suffered injuries, some of whom were hit by bullets, after some armed members of the demolition team deployed by real estate firm Clarkhills Properties Corp. allegedly opened fire while forcing their way through the fences, according to progressive groups Peasant Watch Central Luzon and Karapatan Central Luzon.

According to the groups, the “gunfire [came from the] joint forces of police, security guards, and hired goons of Clarkhills.”

Investigators said two men were arrested after they were found possessing guns during the course of the demolition and are now facing charges for frustrated homicide and illegal possession of firearms.

The Inquirer tried but failed to get comments from Clarkhills.

Relocation

But in a letter to Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. on Feb. 9, Clarkhills’ counsel said the firm was committed to finding ways to relocate the affected dwellers in the area.

Residents there are mostly farmers who have been insisting on the legitimacy of the Certificates of Land Ownership awarded to them by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during past administrations.

On Oct. 28, 1992, DAR-Pampanga ruled against the farmers and residents belonging to the Alyansa mg mga Maka-maralitang Asosasyon at Kapatirang Organisasyon, Inc. and ordered them to vacate the 735,567 square meters of farm lots covered by two certificates of land ownership.

The group elevated the case to the higher courts until the Supreme Court denied its petition in a decision in March 2001.

Some 2,000 farmers and residents of Sitio Balubad have vowed to continue their fight for what they claim is their legitimate ownership of the land.

They have been asking the House of Representatives and the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the land dispute and the demolition.

So far, no members of the House or Senate have granted their request.

They also asked Malacañang to intervene but to no avail.

Lazatin Jr. had promised them that he would initiate an expropriation proceeding for some 35,000 square meters of the Clarkhills properties for the relocation of 535 families or 2,000 individuals who face dislocation. INQ