Activists claim suspension of demolitions in Metro Manila a triumph

Militant groups on Saturday welcomed the order by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to suspend demolitions in Metro Manila, following a violent confrontation that killed one and wounded 39 in Parañaque City last Monday. But the Metro Manila chapters of Anakbayan and Kabataan party-list groups said that while Robredo's decision is a "triumph of urban poor dwellers," it may be too little too late. “We welcome the DILG's decision to suspend all demolitions in Metro Manila. [But] this victory was won through the militant struggle of the urban poor dwellers,” said Kabataan Metro Manila spokesperson Mark Louie Aquino. He was referring to the struggle especially by the residents of Silverio Compound in Parañaque City last April 23. But Aquino expressed "utmost disappointment" that DILG's action was "late and not enough." The fatality, who earlier reports identified as Arnel Leonor Tolentino, could still be alive had the government suspended all demolitions earlier, Aquino said. “The suspension will expire, and demolitions will still continue... we fear [these] might end up in another bloodshed like what happened in the Silverio Compound," he said. Moreover, he said the Aquino administration "should address [fears] that the Public Private Partnership program or PPP is behind the massive demolitions across the country and it should be stopped.” Anakbayan Metro Manila spokesperson Dianne Solmayor also called for an end to all demolitions, and that the land they informal settlers are occupying should be awarded to them. “We will stay vigilant and we will stay prepared to [oppose] all attempts to destroy people’s homes and livelihood. We will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go to waste,” added Aquino. Meanwhile, the groups and the residents of Silverio Compound are preparing a grand tribute to residents to mark the last night of Tolentino's wake. On Friday, Robredo ordered police and local government executives to put on hold all planned demolition operations in areas where informal settlers reside, while the DILG clarifies policies and the processes to be followed.   But Robredo advised informal settlers to abandon any plans to throw human waste and urine at law enforcers who will enforce demolition orders. He said the violence at the Silverio compound last Monday could have been avoided if only the stakeholders met prior to the demolition. — LBG/HS, GMA News