Violence mars demolition in Quezon City

Violence marred the demolition of houses at a residential area in Quezon City early Thursday, with residents throwing stones at the demolition team. Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported that rush-hour traffic in the area was snarled due to the early-morning confrontation. The demolition team and their police escorts were forced to regroup due to the resistance from residents of San Roque II village at the North Triangle area. As early as Wednesday night, residents at the North Triangle area held a vigil to condemn their impending displacement in favor of an Ayala-led QC Central Business District (CBD) project. (See: QC North triangle residents hold vigil vs impending demolition) Urban poor group Kadamay questioned the 340-hectare project, saying it will displace some 6,000 families. The P22-billion project is a joint venture between Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and the National Housing Authority to develop 29.1 hectares of North Triangle aimed at making this part of QC a central business and commercial district. Last Sept. 15, the National Housing Authority, which owns the North Triangle property including Sitio San Roque, issued a seven-day notice of demolition for the community. While relocation at a housing site in Rizal province was offered, residents have refused to move, citing difficult living conditions, high transportation costs and lack of amenities, such as electricity and water, in the proposed site. — RSJ, GMANews.TV