24 Manila dads leave committees over slaughterhouse row

MANILA, Philippines - At least 24 councilors in Manila resigned from their respective committees Tuesday in support for their embattled colleague, Dennis Alcoreza, who was dragged by policemen out of the Vitas Slaughterhouse in Tondo last Friday. The councilors – led by Majority Floor leader Councilor Manuel Zarcal – voiced their decision during the Manila City Council session. Those who joined the protest were Ma. Lourdes Isip-Garcia, Jocelyn Dawis-Asuncion, Marlon Lacson, Victoriano Melendez, Rolando Sy, Ernesto Rivera, Moises Lim, Numero Lim, Amalia Tolentino, Louisito Chua, Jocelyn Quintos, Erick Ian Nieva, Monina Silva, Corazon Gernale, Ma. Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan, Raymundo Yupangco, Ivy Varona, Rolando Valeriano, Arlene Koa, Ramon Morales, Joel Chua, and Christina Ispi. Twelve councilors did not join the protest. Zarcal said they are not against the city hall’s takeover of Vitas Slaughterhouse but the treatment the policemen gave to Alcoreza. “It’s the act of the policemen of dragging Councilor Alcoreza and his sister, Joy, out of the slaughterhouse as if they are pigs which we are protesting,” Zarcal said. Alcoreza’s sister, Joy, is the vice president of Dealco Farms Inc., which operates Vitas Slaughterhouse. Zarcal said the acts of the policemen showed disrespect to a public official. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim last week ordered the takeover of Vitas Slaughterhouse because Dealco allegedly failed to modernize it in violation of its contract with the city. The councilors said assuming that Dealco committed mistakes and abuses in their operations, the city government officials and the policemen have no right to do such arbitrary acts against Alcoreza or any other person. Manila Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso said with the mass resignation of the councilors, there is a need for city hall to reorganize its council so as to not hamper its operations. Before the session ended, the city council members decided to re-organize their council wherein Zarcal was re-elected as majority floor leader and Marlon Lacson as pro-tempore. - GMANews.TV