Tension in QC neighborhood as residents decry demolition

Tensions rose after authorities demolished a residential area along a portion of NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon. 

According to the report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Isa Avendaño-Umali, the said residential area was earlier hit by a fire. 

Cops in riot gear from the QC Police District were present during the demolition as displaced residents carried with them their belongings. 

Some residents became emotional after they were evicted from their homes. 

One resident lamented that authorities could have handled the situation better. 

“Wala ngang staging area na binibigay sa mga tao eh. Hindi pa rin nila nakausap yung hindi nasunog yung bahay. Nasunugan po kami. Kaya nagtataka yung mga tao, bakit may ganito ng ginagawa sa lugar namin?” she said. 

(They didn't even provide a staging area for the people. They also haven't spoken to those whose houses weren't affected by the fire. We were fire victims. That’s why people are wondering—why is this being done to our community?) 

“Kanina nakikipag-usap kami sa pinaka-head sa city, bigla niya kaming tinalikuran. Nagulat kami kasi nakikipag-usap kami, bigla siyang tumalikod,” she added. 

(Earlier, we were trying to talk to the head official from the city, but he suddenly turned his back on us. We were shocked because we were in the middle of a conversation and he just suddenly walked away.) 

The concerned resident also said that there’s no relocation site provided for them. 

“Tapusin nila yung proseso. Ayun din yung pakiusap namin kanina sa kagawad na bumaba dito - tapusin niyo yung proseso, susunod naman po yung mga tao. Papayag naman po. Pero katulad po nung relocation, hindi pa maayos,” she said, adding that why the demolition was done on a holiday. 

(They should finish the proper process. That was also our plea earlier to the barangay official who came down here—finish the process, and the people will follow. We will agree to it. But things like the relocation site, for example, are not yet settled.) 

“Inaawat namin yung tao na hindi kami magsisimula ng gulo. Pero sila yung nag-push paharap sa amin…Human rights ba ito na matatawag? Kapag yung mga taong taga-squatter, walang karapatan. ‘Pag sa gobyerno, sila lang ang pakikinggan?” 

(We were holding the people back so we wouldn't start any trouble. But they [the authorities] were the ones who pushed forward against us... Can this even be called 'human rights'? When it comes to informal settlers, we have no rights. If it's the government, they are the only ones who get heard?)

Meanwhile, Barangay Pinyahan chairperson Ricardo Villaflor said that he was also surprised with the demolition operation in the area. He added that they are still getting information on the number of individuals hurt during the tension. 

Further, Villaflor said affected residents will be provided with temporary shelter and rental assistance worth over P30,000.  

“Nakahanda naman ang ating mahal na mayor. Yung hinihintay nilang subsidy…akala nila hindi maibibigay, pero next week po ito ibibigay,” he said. 

(Our mayor is prepared. Regarding the subsidy they are waiting for… they thought it wouldn't be given, but it will be released next week.) 

The barangay chairperson also claimed that residents were already advised before to look for a new home: “Nabigyan na po sila ng matagal na abiso regarding sa kanilang malilipatan. So naabisuhan din po nila na supposedly [March] 31 yung kailangan nilang makalipat na po, dahil ayun ang naging usapin po. Nagkaroon sila ng hiling po sa akin na pwedeng ma-extend po habang hindi pa sila nakakahanap ng bahay.” 

(They were given ample notice a long time ago regarding where they could move. They were also advised that they were supposedly required to move out by [March] 31, as that was what was discussed. They made a request to me if it could be extended while they hadn't found a house yet.)

“Pumayag ang ating mahal na mayor na i-extend sila kasi magkakaroon ng mga graduation ang mga bata, magkakaroon ng Holy Week. Kaya from March 31, na-move po ng April 6,” Villaflor added. 

(Our mayor agreed to grant them an extension because of the children’s graduations and the observance of Holy Week. That is why from March 31, it was moved to April 6.) —RF, GMA News