MANILA, Feb 2 (PNA) — Malacanang on Sunday expressed relief over what began as a violent demolition of shanties in Agham Road, Quezon City which later ended peacefully.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that although informal settlers refused to leave their homes at first, some of them eventually gave in.
“It ended well in the sense that the day after, they dismantled their own houses (themselves),” Valte said in Filipino.
“Initially there was a confrontation but they (informal settlers) calmed down and took it upon themselves to cooperate,” she added.
The demolition of shanties began last Jan 27, and turned violent when illegal settlers tried as much as possible to prevent the demolition team from entering their community by throwing on them bottles, rocks and the like.
Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-riot team were prompted to use tear gasto push them away.
A resettlement site in Bocaue, Bulacan is being prepared by the National Housing Authority (NHA) but according to reports, not all have willingly accepted to move out despite being offered financial assistance. (source: Philippine News Agency)
