Palace: Aquino orders halt to QC demolition

(Updated 1:35 a.m. Set. 25) Residents opposing the demolition of their homes at North Triangle in Quezon City got a reprieve Friday from no less than President Benigno Aquino III. In a statement, Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. said the president has instructed him to order the National Housing Authority to suspend the relocation of families living in the NHA property in Sitio San Roque II that oppose their transfer to the NHA's proposed relocation site in Rodriguez, Rizal. "The relocation is suspended until the NHA provides a comprehensive plan that will ensure orderliness in the implementation of relocation activities," Ochoa said. Aquino left for the United States Monday evening for a week-long working visit. He is set to return Tuesday next week. ‘Saddened’ by violence during demolition Ochoa said the president was "saddened" by the violence that erupted over Thursday's demolition, and has ordered the NHA to ensure future relocation be implemented peacefully. Ochoa added, however, that "while the president respects the families' right to oppose their relocation to Rizal, he nonetheless calls on them to exercise their right to protest in a peaceful manner." The president has instructed all authorities to "exercise maximum tolerance" in their operations, the executive secretary said. NHA general manager Chito Cruz said Friday noon Aquino ordered him to stop all demolition and involuntary resettlement until he reviews the case. "The President ordered me to stop all demolition and involuntary resettlement until he has reviewed all the facts about this case and our compliance with legal requirements. So we are stopping demolition operations now," Cruz said in Filipino in an interview on dzBB radio. According to Cruz, the President called him up sometime around noon while he was in a meeting with Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. Cruz, however, appealed to residents opposing the demolition to allow others who agreed to be relocated to leave the site. "Ang gusto lumipat sa ating relocation site kung pwede pagbigyan, huwag harangin (Those who want to relocate voluntarily should be allowed to leave. We appeal to the other residents not to block their path)," he said. For his part, Binay maintained the requirements of the relocation program have been met, adding that demolished houses may not be erected by residents again. “Bawal ‘yun, hindi naman tama ‘yun. ‘Yung relocation, nandun ‘yun, naghihintay ‘yun. ‘Yung mga gustong lumikas, lumikas na," he said in a newscast by GMA News’ “24 Oras". (That’s illegal, that's not right. The relocation site is just waiting for them. Those who want to relocate, they should do so now.)
On Thursday, at least 12 people were injured while traffic along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) was snarled after violence marred the demolition of homes in Sitio San Roque II at North Triangle. (See: Barricades block QC North Triangle demolition; 14 hurt in clashes) Even after a court issued a temporary restraining order, the residents also set up barricades late Thursday to thwart the demolition team's possible return. Cruz said, "even if we get the court to lift the TRO, the president's instructions are to stop the demolition in the area." Petition for full halt to demolition As this developed, residents of San Roque trooped to the QC Regional Trial Court to file a petition seeking a temporary halt to the demolition. While residents said they welcome Aquino’s order, some said that they still feel uncertain as they fear that the demolition team may return to the area anytime unless the court comes up with a favorable decision.
“Medyo lumuwag ang pakiramdam ko ngunit hindi pa rin kami doon kampante. Ayaw namin sa Montalban. Kung kami ay pupwersahin, hinihiling namin kay Presidente Noynoy Aquino na bigyan kami ng relokasyon ngunit dito lang sa Quezon City," said Lucy Velarde, president of the Maralitang Nagkakaisa ng Metro Site. (I felt a bit relieved but we cannot be complacent. We don’t want to be transferred to Montalban. If we’re going to be forced to relocate, we ask President Aquino to give us relocation but just within Quezon City.) Meanwhile, other residents marched from Agham Road to the Quezon City Hall to condemn Mayor Herbert Bautista’s pronouncements that those who oppose the demolition are members of syndicates, who rent out their houses in Sitio San Roque. They then proceeded to the President’s residence on Times St., even as Aquino is currently in the US on official visit. They peacefully dispersed after staging a brief program. QC mayor denies ‘no demolition’ promise Meanwhile, Bautista denied that he promised during the campaign for the May elections that no demolition will be conducted in the North Triangle community. This was after Muslim residents of the area, some of whom said they have been living there since 1979, staged a protest to denounce the city mayor. According to the residents, Bautista’s brother-in-law, actor Romnick Sarmienta, promised during the campaign that they will not be displaced. “Pinaasa niya pa kami, na wag kayong mag-aalala, oras na madedemolish kayo nasa likod niyo kami. Nasaan ngayon ang pangako niya?" a resident lamented. (He made us believe that we shouldn’t worry because they will back us if ever we are threatened with demolition. Where’s his promise now?) Bautista, however, denied his camp made such a promise. "Hindi kami nangangako sa kampanya. Ang ibinibigay namin ay programa (We don’t make promises during campaigns. What we provide are programs). I never promised in my entire political life. Hindi ako pulitiko na nangangako (I’m not the type of politician who makes promises)," Bautista said in the same newscast. According to Bautista, some 2,000 of the area’s 9,000 families have signed up for relocation.— with Jam Sisante/LBG, Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV