NO, 16 No intercession
Demolition order to be followed; Inday offers laday services
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio will not be interceding for the settlers at Salmonan along Quezon Boulevard in Barangay 26-C who are faced with demolition because the court already issued a writ of demolition.
"Given this, we will insist that all responsible agencies coordinate properly to ensure a smooth implementation of the writ," she said.
The city mayor said that a lawyer will be made
available to those who are affected by the writ.
POLICE READY
Meanwhile, police authorities vowed to ensure the safety and security of the public once demolition commences.
Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region spokesperson Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz said that while the police could not interfere and/or stop the residents from expressing their moans on the matter, they have to ensure that no one gets hurt.
"As police officer, we’re just following orders coming from the court. We will be assisting the city government and the housing (office) based on court order, and ensure the safety of the public," Driz said.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said they have already coordinated with the city government and that they are just waiting for instructions.
"As long as the action of the protesters will not impede public convenience, they could air their grievances. Our police are there to ensure public safety and assist the traffic congestion in the area," Gaspan said.
Last Tuesday, a group of residents who organized themselves as the Quezon Boulevard Muslim-Christian Neighborhood Association in Salmonan appealed to Duterte-Carpio to heed their call for a stop to a demolition notice they received as the 3,515 square meter plot of land they are occupying is being claimed by someone who identifies himself as a datu.
The residents belonging to 67 households made up of 34 Moro and 33 Christian families claim they have settled in the area since 1953, when Salmonan was still a marshland.
"Tungod sa among collective labor sa pagtambak og yuta sa maong lugar, na develop namo ang maong area ug karon nahimong hingpit na nga yuta. Kining maong luna kabilin pa sa among mga ginikanan hangtud sa mga anak ug apo. Nagpuyo kami sa maong dapit nga malinawon ug malipayon kauban ang mga Muslim ug Christian sulod sa 65 ka tuig nga walay hulga sa demolisyon nga nahimong babag sa among pagpuyo (through our collective labor, we filled the marsh with soil and thus developed this area. This land has been handed down to us from our parents down to their children and even grandchildren. We have been living here in peace, both Muslim and Christians, in the past 65 years without threats of a demolition)," the groups statement read.
Now, a certain Datu Bahajin Marcos Mahadali is claiming ownership of the land and has shown a title with TCT #2013002121 allegedly from OCT #40, but the group, further claimed that the title is in "Barrio Tugbok, Lianga, Davao City" and not in Salmonan. He claims to have bought hte land from the "Garcia family". No other details could be had and Sun.Star could not find any link to Mahadali.
The final notice of demolition dated March 3, 2018 was presented to the residents just last March 27, 2018.
Residents have barricaded their area and young men are standing guard ready to block any attempt to demolish their homes.