2 injured as demolition turns ugly

Two people were injured after residents living on a disputed property in Baesa, Caloocan City, hurled bottles and stones at the members of a demolition team who were backed up by policemen on Wednesday.

The tension between both sides only waned after members of a Special Weapons and Tactics team sent to the area fired warning shots.

Chief Inspector Francis Vargas, head of the Caloocan Police Substation 12 and the ground commander, said that Jacqueline Pacis was injured after she was hit by glass shards.

Pacis was identified as a relative of one of the residents of the disputed property in Barangay 161.

Some 200 temporary houses have been built on the lot, which measures 6,200 square meters and which is owned by Simplicio Rivera.

A member of the demolition team, Rodelito Bagon, was also injured after he banged his head on the protruding part of a roof while ducking for cover.

“They have been treated for the injuries that they sustained,” Vargas said.

Wednesday’s standoff, which took place at around 10 a.m., lasted just minutes but it was in complete contrast to the peaceful demolition that took place only the day before.

On Tuesday, a writ of demolition was served after the two-week grace period granted to the families for their relocation lapsed.

At least 70 houses were then torn down without any resistance from the residents.

The clash between the residents and the demolition team, meanwhile, led to the suspension of afternoon classes at nearby Baesa Elementary School.

“We don’t want to compromise the safety of our schoolchildren,” Melanita Pantalla, the school principal, told the Inquirer.

When asked if classes would resume Thursday, Pantalla said that this would be decided upon depending on the situation.

Earlier in the day, officials suspended classes at Baesa High School to protect the students.