Davao mayor punches sheriff over demolition of shanties

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—An incensed Mayor Sara Duterte punched, not once, but thrice, a sheriff who insisted on demolishing shanties in Agdao district here Friday morning.

Duterte rushed to Agdao when she was informed that Sheriff Abe Andres was about to tear down shanties inside a compound, where some 217 families had been allegedly living illegally.

Duterte had asked Andres to defer the demolition for two hours while she negotiated with the angry residents, who were ready to confront the demolition team with bladed weapons and hard objects, but he refused.

“I was only asking for two hours. Two hours. Why can’t you give that to us? Why do you insist on serving the notice? Do you think the residents will just allow you to demolish their houses—without them giving out a fight?” Duterte said.

Andres did not issue any statement.