2 hurt in demolition operation in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines—Two persons were hurt during a demolition of shanties in Caloocan City after angry homeowners tried to stop a government crew from destroying their homes on Tuesday, police said.

Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said that a certain Jacqueline Pacis and a member of the demolition team, Rodelito Bagon, were injured when residents of Reparo street, Barangay 161 in Baesa, Caloocan City, threw bottles and rocks at the demolition team.

Santos said that it was the second day of the demolition and that there were only 17 homes left to be demolished in the area. “The homes that are being demolished today are partly concrete ones. The homeowners resisted and started throwing bottles and rocks this morning.”

The wrecking crew was able to destroy the houses in the area after the police intervened, said Santos. “We had to intervene when they became violent.”

Santos said that roughly 200 homes were demolished by the team.