Guard fires gun to threaten Biazon?

Tension ran high in a demolition site on Freedom Island in Parañaque City yesterday morning when a shot rang out despite the presence of Senator Rodolfo Biazon who came to plead for the squatter families.

Combined forces of the Parañaque police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and 50 security guards of the Public Estates Authority (PEA) stood guard while a PEA and DPWH crew started demolishing 50 shanties at around 9 a.m.

Residents immediately tried to block the way of the demolition team and the bulldozers and a short scuffle ensued. At least 20 people reportedly sustained minor injuries. No one was reported killed.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Senate Committee for Urban Housing, arrived at the scene at around 10 a.m. and tried to stop the PEA-DPWH team.

In the midst of the chaos, a gun shot rang out creating tension that almost gave way to full-blown violence, which was fortunately averted by the calm presence of the senator and other cooler heads.

Residents pointed to a security guard, Ben Delegero, as the one who fired the shot. When Biazon asked Delegero why he fired his gun, the security guard would not answer.

Later, Biazon told SPO1 Oscar Pelejo of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Parañaque Police to charge Delegero with grave threats.

A certain Arnulfo Baria later introduced himself as the head of the demolition team. He claimed to be the president of Gintong Layunin Inc., a foundation which he said had entered into an inter-agency agreement with the PEA to effect the demolition.

Biazon explained to Baria that the demolition should be stopped since he was set to meet with PEA officials on Oct. 16 to discuss the plight of the Freedom Island squatters.

When queried, Baria could not produce a court order approving the demolition. Baria, however, insisted the demolition should continue.

Officials of the Philippine National Police assigned to the Senate and the Parañaque Police arrived on the scene later. Biazon instructed them to prevent any further destruction of property until the meeting on Oct. 16. – Rainier Allan Ronda and Perseus Echeminada