Aquino wants violent San Juan demolition probed

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the violent demolition in San Juan where some 40 people, including children and a city official, were hurt. Ricky Carandang, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning head, said President Aquino directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into the matter. Aquino had earlier ordered a moratorium on relocation in Metro Manila until the government can come up with a master plan on informal settlers. The demolition along P. Narciso street and Pinaglabanan Shrine in Barangay Corazon de Jesus proceeded after San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez spoke with the President and assured him that it will be a voluntary relocation. The houses were demolished to pave the way for the new city hall. The 103 affected residents were supposed to be relocated to Montalban, Rizal.

“[San Juan Mayor] Guia said it was a voluntary relocation so they proceeded, obviously something went wrong kaya nagkagulo, nagkaroon ng (that’s why there’s violence and) resistance, so the President is now ordering an investigation," Carandang told Malacañang reporters. The residents were reportedly complaining that the relocation site was far from their work and school. The affected families threw bottles and rocks to the demolition team, who retaliated by spraying the residents with water from a firetruck. Police reportedly used tear gas against the residents. Former President Joseph Estrada, who served as San Juan mayor for almost 17 years, intervened to pacify the residents. Carandang said the master plan for informal sectors is expected to be submitted to the President in a week or two. “We are hoping na maiiwasan na ang mga pangyayaring ito (incidents like this will not happen anymore) once this master plan is approved and implemented," he said. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV