Sun Valley compound turns into war zone

For the third time in five days, a demolition crew met strong resistance from informal settlers, who have vowed to fight eviction from a lot in Barangay Sun Valley, Parañaque.

Willy Abrematia, head of a barangay security force in Sun Valley, said the demolition crew, again backed by riot cops and SWAT officers from the Regional Special Action Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office (RSAU-NCRPO) arrived at the privately owned property in Garville Subdivision before 9 a.m. yesterday.

Waiting for them was a barricade and even more resistance.

The scene quickly turned into a war zone as angry residents pelted the demolition workers and the riot cops with rocks and molotov cocktails.

"They even set tires on fire in the middle of the road, Abrematia said. "It looked like a riot, a war zone."

One police officer said one resident fired a shot from a homemade firearm.

Riot cops were forced to fire tear gas canisters at residents throwing rocks. Officers then fired several warning shots.

Residents started running as SWAT officers moved in to make arrests.

Police Officer 3 Josel Montero said the demolition in Garville Subdivision had been enforced through an order issued by Judge Fortunito Madrona of Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 274.

Clashes erupted in the area as hundreds of families claiming they were officially allowed to occupy more than 1.2 hectares of land resisted the demolition teams.

The settlers claimed they had been tasked to clear the area by the land’s private owner.

Last Thursday, some 180 houses in the area were destroyed by the demolition crew, but not before several residents were hurt as both parties threw rocks at each other.

The clashes continued the next day.

Yesterday, the demolition crew managed to destroy 40 more houses after the residents were dispersed.

Most residents, however, are actually tenants who have not been able to pay.

The subject property is reportedly owned by former Batangas Governor Tony Leviste, husband of vice presidential candidate and former senator Loren Legarda.