Malolos residents protest demolition

MALOLOS CITY — Despite court orders, the Malolos City engineering office resumed the demolition of structures between the MacArthur Highway and the old railroad tracks here.

The affected residents claimed that the city government’s move was illegal, especially the demolition of Flying A Motel owned by Dr. Amanda Cruz, who was able to secure a permanent injunction from the local regional trial court years ago.

But Ricasol Millan, head of the city engineering office, said the structures in between the highway and the old railroad tracks were declared public nuisance.

During a brief meeting presided over by court representatives, Superintendent Manuel Lukban, city police chief, said his men were around to maintain peace and order during the demolition.

However, the affected residents said Lukban might have been misled as he was supposed to provide police assistance to prevent the demolition.

Resident Nicson Cruz showed a court order recently penned by Judge Victoria Pornillos of RTC Branch 10 that directed the local police to "provide police assistance" against any demolition since the residents had secured a permanent injunction years ago.

But Millan’s men swooped down on the motel and tore off its corrugated iron roofing despite protests.

Earlier, Millan and Lukban claimed that they were only implementing the five-meter setback required under the National Building Code.

But yesterday’s demolition went further than the five meters and the city engineering office claimed the building was a declared public nuisance.

Meanwhile, Alagad party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta told The STAR that the demolition was illegal because the city government failed to secure a clearance from the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor.

He said the demolition of structures was supposed to be the job of the Department of Public Works and Highways and that it had not been delegated to the city government.

"There is also an order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government to stop the demolition but the city government (refused to) listen," Marcoleta said.