Manila slum demolition provokes clashes
- 12 years ago
Slum residents and activists attempt to prevent the demolition of a shanty town in the Philippines capital Manila.
Defending a home-made barricade, they throw rocks, Molotov cocktails, and other missiles at police and the advancing demolition crew.
The demolition workers responded by lobbing stones back at them.
Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Local news said around two dozen people were hurt in the clashes, and the municipal government said around 13 protesters were arrested.
Around 2,000 residents living in about 300 homes will be affected by the demolition, which is to make way for the expansion of the new city hall complex.
The government offered to relocate residents, but families complained the new site was too far from their work.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT SAYING:
"Now, my parents, my siblings who are living here are suffering."
The police chief had tried negotiating with the protesters before the demolition began, calling for calm.
But residents of the shanty town, with the help of youth activists whom the authorities blame for inciting violence, have been resisting planned evictions since the court order was signed 17 months ago.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) POLICE SUPERINTENDENT TOMAS ARCALLANA, SAN JUAN CITY DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE FOR OPERATION, SAYING:
"It's okay, at least it's successful. The demolition will continue."
Several slum communities around Manila have been cleared in the past year to make way for infrastructure and property projects.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
Defending a home-made barricade, they throw rocks, Molotov cocktails, and other missiles at police and the advancing demolition crew.
The demolition workers responded by lobbing stones back at them.
Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Local news said around two dozen people were hurt in the clashes, and the municipal government said around 13 protesters were arrested.
Around 2,000 residents living in about 300 homes will be affected by the demolition, which is to make way for the expansion of the new city hall complex.
The government offered to relocate residents, but families complained the new site was too far from their work.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT SAYING:
"Now, my parents, my siblings who are living here are suffering."
The police chief had tried negotiating with the protesters before the demolition began, calling for calm.
But residents of the shanty town, with the help of youth activists whom the authorities blame for inciting violence, have been resisting planned evictions since the court order was signed 17 months ago.
(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) POLICE SUPERINTENDENT TOMAS ARCALLANA, SAN JUAN CITY DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE FOR OPERATION, SAYING:
"It's okay, at least it's successful. The demolition will continue."
Several slum communities around Manila have been cleared in the past year to make way for infrastructure and property projects.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.