2-year old girl hurt in Valenzuela demolition

A member of the demolition team suddenly grabbed Maybellin Fronda, 2 years old, resulting in a spinal injury even if her mother was already about to leave their house to give way to the demolition.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com

MANILA While a nurse was preparing to put dextrose on 2-year-old Maybellin Fronda, she only stared at her. One of the nurses whispered that she is a rare patient. Children, she said, normally cry whenever they insert needles on them. Maybellin then let out a small cry and continued to stare as the nurses securely taped her dextrose.

Shes been a good fighter ever since we arrived here, Frelin Fronda, her 28-year-old mother, told Bulatlat.com.

Maybellin was hurt during a demolition of an urban poor community in Bignay, Princeville in Hulo Dulo, Valenzuela City. The demolition team arrived early morning of May 31, 2013. No court order to demolish the homes was served to the residents. Instead, a representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWS) talked to the residents and advised them to leave their homes. Frelin said they were told that financial assistance would be given to the families.

According to urban poor group Kadamay, the community, where about 213 families reside, is considered by the government as a danger zone because it is right beneath the transmission lines of the National Power Corporation. The said demolition, however, occurred just two days after urban poor groups and the Department of Interior and Local Government signed an agreement that there would be no demolition along the so called danger areas in the National Capital Region until they meet again to discuss a possible solution for informal settlers.

The said pact was not only reported by media but was also posted at the DILGs website.

Frelin said before the election, they heard rumors that their houses would be demolished but not until after the election. The notice of eviction lapsed last May 21. Kadamay said, no less than 500 men in red shirts, who comprised the demolition team, implemented the demolition (on May 31) escorted by several trucks of policemen and a fire truck.

Frelin, not wanting to bring trouble to her children, agreed to go with the DSWD. But upon returning to her home to fetch her four children and their things, she saw members of Bantay Bayan, security forces from the city government, in their house.

Original post:
2-year old girl hurt in Valenzuela demolition