3 cops hurt as demolition plan in QC turns violent

MANILA, Philippines—Three police officers were injured when violence erupted on Monday between informal settlers and police authorities along Agham Road in Quezon City over a possible demolition of their houses.

Superintendent Pedro Sanchez, Quezon City Police District-Station 2, said the three sustained injuries from stones that were hurled at the authorities, who destroyed the barricades set up by residents there.

North Triangle residents in Quezon City set up their barricades in anticipation of a possible demolition of their homes. Urban poor Group Kadamay claimed that some 500 families are to be evicted from their homes to give way an 11.3-m road-widening project along Agham Road. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

Police Office 3 Antonio Montero of QCPD Station 2 said the identities of the wounded officers have yet to be determined, but added that their injuries were already being treated.

“Wala nang mga pagsabog ngayon pero may mga namamato mato padin,” he said when asked of the latest situation in the area.

Non-uniform personnel Hazel Mendito of Quezon City Police District Tactical Operations Center earlier said the residents also hurled pillbox and Molotov bombs at the authorities. Several explosions, she said, have also been recorded.

North Triangle residents in Quezon City set up their barricades in anticipation of a possible demolition of their homes. Urban poor Group Kadamay claimed that some 500 families are to be evicted from their homes to give way an 11.3-m road-widening project along Agham Road. NOY MOROCOSO/INQUIRER.net

Both lanes of the Agham Road remained closed to motorists amid the continuing efforts to disperse the rallyists estimated to be at around 300.

The Philippine Science High School located near the Office of the Ombudsman didn’t suspend classes as it preferred that their students stay inside the school premises.

In a statement, urban poor group Kadamay said the move was made to ensure that the demolition team would not reach their community as the 30-day notice of eviction lapsed this Monday.

“Some 500 families are expected to be evicted from their homes to give way an 11.3-m road-widening project along Agham Road,” Kadamay said.

It said North Triangle, an area with three urban poor communities— Sitio San Roque, San Isidro and Belmonte—with some 12,000 informal settler families, is set to be developed for the Quezon City Central Business District.

Originally posted at 09:51 am | Monday, July 1, 2013