Killed on the spot were Rogelio Depaling, Mauricio Jaballa, Celso Flores and Ruben Ralloma. Two others, who remained unidentified as of press time, died while being treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.
Police responded after the suspects forcibly entered and occupied a fenced property on Dinar and Peseta streets in Phase 8 North Fairview at 10:30 a.m.
Architect Angelito Dominguez, owner of the 300 square-meter property, had called police and reported that armed men were taking over the compound. They came with several carpenters, who started building structures on the property.
Under the command of Senior Superintendent Felicidad Agido, the country’s only female station chief, a team proceeded to the site.
As the lawmen approached the property, one of the suspects threw a grenade. An officer, identified as PO2 Wilfredo Calinao, was wounded in the blast.
The police team immediately called for assistance from the Quezon City Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. In the firefight, four of the suspects were killed on the spot while three were wounded.
QCPD director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr. said his men were able to take into custody at least 13 men. A manhunt has been launched for other suspects, who escaped during the shootout.
Contrary to the claims of grieving relatives of the slain suspects, Agido, a lawyer, said her team went to the site not to accompany a demolition team, but to check on the presence of armed men.
Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr. QCPD director, defended his men from accusations by the suspects’ relatives, who claimed lawmen used excessive force.
"The suspects exploded a grenade and fired their guns at our men," Radovan told The STAR.
The QCPD chief said the officers followed the rules of engagement in responding to a verified report about armed men taking over a private land.
Radovan said the suspects identified themselves as members of Tadtad, a cult based in Mindanao. The Tadtad, who fought insurgents in the 70s, believe that their amulets make them invulnerable to bullets.
The leader of the group, identified only as "Tatang Mori," reportedly provides security to professional squatters in the area. Barangay watchmen said the cultists started showing up last year.
The modus operandi of the squatting syndicate is to take over private property by building structures on vacant lots.
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday that the area has been overrun by squatters, some of which were families of military and policemen.
"From our point of view, we are aware that some of these military men and policemen live in the area as squatters. That is why this is no ordinary squatting problem," Belmonte said.
The mayor said Quezon City Task Force 88, headed by Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula, has coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help relocate the military men.
However, the task force has been advised by the Judge Advocate General Office of the AFP that they should not interfere in squatting cases without a court order.
The task force has identified several professional squatting syndicates, including the Talyano Madrigal Acop, reportedly headed by a certain Prince Talyano, who has been giving out fake titles to lots they illegally took over.
Among the victims of some of the syndicates are singer Imelda Papin, Civil Service Commission chairperson Karina David, and the family of former congresswoman Pacita Gonzalez, wife of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.
Some landowners have decided not to take action to recover their property out of fear from reprisal from the squatters’ goons.