July 30, 2009 05:29 PM Thursday [ journal.com.ph ]
By: Cesar Reyes
BAGUIO CITY -- Busol residents strongly resisted during the first day but city officials said the demolition of illegal structures within Busol Watershed reservation will push through.
Concerned residents formed a human chain and blocked the main entrance of the Busol Watershed to prevent the demolition team from entering the area.
A commotion between residents and members of the demolition team temporarily stopped the demolition of a three-storey concrete building Tuesday afternoon that needed several hours of negotiation between the residents and Engr. Nazita Bañez, the head of the demolition team.
Three families whose houses were supposed to be demolished heaved a sigh of relief Tuesday morning when the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) issued a 72-hour restraining order. Hours later, 10 more families also obtained restraining orders.
But the issuance of restraining orders by NCIP was questioned by city officials who claimed that no less than the Supreme Court upheld the implementation of demolition orders.
It was after lunch time that Bañez gave residents a 2 p.m. deadline to secure temporary restraining orders or voluntarily dismantle their respective houses. Some residents voluntarily dismantled their houses.
The demolition turned physical when some residents prevented demolition personnel from demolishing a three-storey concrete building. It was at that time that Bañez and City Councilor Nicasio Aliping had a dispute.
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