2 hurt as cops disperse protest vs Manila abattoir takeover

MANILA, Philippines – Policemen dispersed on Monday morning a group protesting against the Manila City Hall takeover of the Vitas Slaughterhouse, hurting two men that they arrested with five others. The protest started at around 9 a.m at the Bonifacio Shrine, right across the city hall, and lasted for about an hour. The Manila Police District said it had to break up the group for not having a permit. Suffering head injuries were Noel Batac, 23, and Paul Alcoreza, 25. Alcoreza is a stockholder of Dealco Farms Inc., which was operating the slaughterhouse before city officials took over last July 21, because the firm allegedly neglected the facility. Paul Alcoreza is the son of Dealco owner Delfin Alcoreza. Also arrested were Ross Chua, 33; Rodolfo Tan, 45; Renato Jarabo, 39; Rodolfo Aborque, 50; and Harry Taduran, 40. They were all detained at the Manila City Hall’s District Special Project Unit (DSPU) at the the city hall. Police dispersed the group as they were marching towards the city hall to accompany Councilor Dennis Alcoreza, brother of one of the injured protesters. The councilor issued a statement on Monday denouncing the takeover of the slaughterhouse, saying: "The action of Mayor Alfredo Lim in the July 11, 2008, incident of arbitrarily and extrajudicially ordering the takeover of the Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) Vitas Slaughterhouse is a clear manifestation of the long-time general policy of the city mayor of disrespect of rule of law and constitutionally-mandated due process." Confiscated from the protesters were streamers denouncing the takeover of Vitas Slaughterhouse, the largest and supposedly most modern in the Philippines. Lim ordered the takeover because Dealco allegedly failed to modernize it, in violation of its contract with the city. Executive Order No. 24, signed by Lim, cited the various violations of Dealco on the lease agreement. Among the violations cited by EO 24 are the lack of proper sanitary facilities and dumping of animal manure on the bay. Manila City Hall was informed about the unhygienic condition of the slaughterhouse by the National Meat Inspection Commission, which is the regulator of all slaughterhouses and animal holding facilities. De la Cruz said Dealco sublet the facility – particularly the spacious second floor designed for slaughterhouse offices – to Meatworld International Inc., which put in a physical fitness facility, again in violation of its contract. - GMANews.TV