Protesters set fire to equipment at proposed site of Davao sports complex
DAVAO CITY – At least 12 farmers and informal settlers within the 20-hectare site of the city’s 300-million sports complex at the University of the Philippines (UP) – Mindanao were arrested by police Monday for allegedly burning heavy equipment and putting up a human barricade to block the development of the future sports facility.
According to the police, members of the Bago Oshiro Farmers Association (BOFA) gathered at around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and blocked the entry of heavy equipment, claiming that they were fight- ing for their rights to the agricultural lands and properties within the site.
Tension started when the farmers refused the entry of a team led by a court sheriff and escorted by police personnel to implement a demolition order issued by a local court.
In the commotion that ensued, police report said one of the protesters threw a Molotov cocktail at a bulldozer and a backhoe owned by CLTG Builders, the contractor of the construction project.
The Molotov cocktail damaged the equipment and injured the backhoe operator, the report added.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz told reporters here that the arrested suspects will be charged for arson and grave coercion.
The police also recovered from the protesters a sword, two bolos and a gasoline container while damages to properties were valued at 120,000.
When reached by the Manila Bulletin here yesterday, Director Mariano Alquiza of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao region (DPWH-11) said the construction of the sports complex and the road network will continue despite of the incident on Monday. (Alexander D. Lopez)