Quinta market demolished

MANILA, Philippines - Vendors tried to stop the demolition of Quinta Market in Manila yesterday but failed.

The demolition team pushed through with the operation to dismantle the stalls in the decades-old market after a Manila court gave the go-signal last week.

The demolition will pave the way to the planned renovation of the Market, located on Palanca street, once touted to be a high-end area of downtown Manila.

During the demolition, some vendors cried and expressed fears that once the renovation pushes through, their rent would increase from P40 to P400.

The demolition began at 8 a.m. but some vendors physically hurt members of the demolition team to prevent them from tearing the building down.

Mayor Joseph Estrada went to the area to warn the vendors against getting physical.

Last Friday, Judge Acerey Pacheco denied the vendors petition to top the demolition, saying the market sits on land owned by the city.