Cops deployed to QC demolition site to quell tension

MANILA, Philippines—A demolition work is ongoing at a disputed land in Quezon City Wednesday, police said.

Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Quezon City Police District-Station 5 commander, said he deployed eight police officers from his station to maintain security and defuse tension at North Fairview-Phase A as a demolition team was ordered to destroy a makeshift home that was allegedly being rebuilt after it was earlier knocked down.

“Isang bahay lang ito kasi binalikan lang ito dahil tinayo ulit (It’s only one house that is being reconstructed),” he said, noting that the activity was supported by a court order and directive from the Quezon City hall.

He said the situation in the area was calm and the demolition operation would end around 3 p.m.

However, Jun Hipe, one of the affected residents in the area, said 10 houses have been destroyed so far since the demolition started around 9 a.m.

Cathy Mantilla, another resident who has lived there for some 20 years, said her own house had just been torn down “without showing her a court order.” She said this was the fourth time her house was destroyed “without a court order, only a memorandum from the local government.”

“Land grabbers have already sent security guards here to harass us and force us to leave,” she said.

“[Task Force] Copris will destroy our houses and then the security guards would try to take over the land,” she added.

Mantilla also alleged that the guards, whom she only identified as from “Philguard,” have been roaming their area at night time to “threaten” them.