Lim charged for ‘brutal’ slaughterhouse takeover

Manila Councilor Dennis Alcoreza and his sister, Jocelyn, filed a complaint yesterday before the Commission on Human Rights against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and at least six other city officials and policemen for the city government’s “abusive and brutal takeover” of the Vitas, Tondo slaughterhouse.

The Alcoreza family owns Dealco Farms, Inc., which was granted a 25-year lease on the slaughterhouse on the condition that they modernize its facilities and equipment.

Lim, through Executive Order 24, terminated the lease and took over the slaughterhouse last Friday, saying Dealco did not fulfill the terms of the contract.

In a complaint signed by Jocelyn, Dealco’s executive vice president, she said Lim’s EO 24 is “illegal” and protested the claim by City Legal Officer Renato dela Cruz that the takeover was “extrajudicial in nature.”

Aside from Lim and Dela Cruz, the other respondents are Lim’s chief of staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Administrator Jesus Marzan, Veterinary Inspection Board officer-in-charge Francisco Co, Senior Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez, Senior Inspector Marcelino Reyes, and Colonel Rolando Miranda.

The Alcorezas said they are set to file administrative and criminal charges against the respondents before the Ombudsman and the court. – Katherine Adraneda