CHR sees human rights violations in recent QC demolition

Informal settlers, cops clash in QC demolition. Informal settlers clash with anti-riot policemen during a demolition of shanties at Sitio San Roque along Agham Road in Quezon City on Monday, January 27. GMA News

Interviewed by GMA News Online on Tuesday, Director Gilbert Boiser of CHR-National Capital Region said TV reports on the demolition showed footage of people being assaulted.

I would surmise na merong violation. Base sa footage na nakita namin meron talaga [kasi] may mga binugbog, he said.

Twenty-nine people were hurt while nine were arrested during the sporadic clashes that lasted for seven hours between residents of the shanties and members of the Quezon City Police District.

A two-month-old infant, Baby Cyril, was rushed to a hospital after she inhaled tear gas used by the police against the residents of Sitio San Roque in Brgy. Pag-asa. The residents were accused of using pillbox, Molotov bombs and rocks against the demolition squad.

According to Boiser, rights to housing and to human dignity may be some of the rights violated during the demolition.

Wala pa kaming report because the investigation is ongoing, he said.

Target

Authorities target to demolish some 250 shanties by Friday, said Voltaire Alcantara, head of the demolition team, in a separate phone interview by GMA News Online. Most of the shanties house about two to four families.

Alcantara said houses located 11.3 meters from the roadside are the only ones up for demolition to pave way for a road-widening project in the area.

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CHR sees human rights violations in recent QC demolition