Mother of victim killed in Parañaque demolition cries for justice

The family of the victim killed during Monday’s violent demolition in a flea market in Parañaque City is asking for justice for what happened to their kin. Arnel Leonor, 20, was killed when residents and militants clashed with anti-riot policemen at the Silverio Compound Monday morning.  The victim reportedly sustained a head injury that resulted in his death, although it hasn't been confirmed yet whether the injury was caused by a gunshot or head trauma. In a report aired over GMA News TV's “News To Go” on Tuesday, Leonor's mother Glenda said her youngest son should not have been killed because he was not even involved in the riot. "Binibintangan pa nila na kasama daw sa nangbabato. Sabi ko mas mabuti sana kung nandun siya nambabato dahil hindi siya matamaan ng bala dahil ‘yung mga pulis, ‘yung mga nakaharap sa mga nagbabato hindi pwedeng gumamit ng bala dahil bawal, ‘di ba? Eh wala siya doon, nandito siya, ‘yung sniper nagkakalat," she said. Their neighbor, Gina Jalandoni, said Leonor was not the target of the alleged snipers. "Ang alam ko ‘yung naka-jacket talaga, ‘yung nasa motor, ‘yun talaga ‘yung punterya. Kaso lang tumawid siya [Leonor] kaya siya ang tinamaan," she said. The family members of those affected by the violent demolition were expected to meet with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima later in the day to seek justice. In a separate interview aired over the same newscast, Parañaque Mayor Florencio "Jun" Bernabe did not confirm whether policemen fired gunshots at the civilians. He said they are still going to investigate whether some policemen used unnecessary force against those who were arrested.    "’Yun po ay nakita ko rin at binanggit ko rin kay hepe.  Sabi naman ni hepe he will conduct a thorough investigation," said Bernabe.   Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo has committed to do the same. Bernabe, however, noted that the civilians were prepared to fight the police. "May intel report kami na merong mga baril, bato, bote na iniipon sila days before, so ang usapan ng mga pulis maximum tolerance.  N’ung nand’un na sila, nagpo-formation sila 200 meters away from the Silverio Compound, sinugod daw ho sila ng mga taga-Silverio," he said. "Di ko naman sinabing tamang barilin sila kung talagang binaril sila, mahirap na ho ‘yung hindi sila magde-depensa sila kahit papaano," he added. Bernabe said they never intended to demolish the residential part of the area, pointing out that they still need to construct the temporary houses in the relocation site before doing so. He said they only intended to demolish the flea market, which the residents reportedly did not know. "May demolition [order] naman po ang korte, [ang] tinanggal [namin] commercial center, talipapa. ‘Di namin ginalaw at gagalawin ‘yung mga houses habang hindi po namin natatapos ang temporary relocation area," he said. He said they intend to move around 120 families to the relocation site, which he said is just in the next barangay. According to Republic Act 7279, eviction or demolition shall be "discouraged."  But it said eviction or demolition shall be allowed under the following situations:

• When persons or entities occupy danger areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, waterways, and other public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, and playgrounds;
• When government infrastructure projects with available funding are about to be implemented; or  
• When there is a court order for eviction and demolition.

It also said that the following shall be required during evictions and demolitions:

• Notice upon the effected persons or entities at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of eviction or demolition;
• Adequate consultations on the matter of settlement with the duly designated representatives of the families to be resettled and the affected communities in the areas where they are to be relocated;
• Presence of local government officials or their representatives during eviction or demolition;
• Proper identification of all persons taking part in the demolition;
• Execution of eviction or demolition only during regular office hours from Mondays to Fridays and during good weather, unless the affected families consent otherwise;
• No use of heavy equipment for demolition except for structures that are permanent and of concrete materials;
• Proper uniforms for members of the Philippine National Police who shall occupy the first line of law enforcement and observe proper disturbance control procedures; and
• Adequate relocation, whether temporary or permanent

— KBK, GMA News