15 November 2005
37 Muslim squatter abodes demolished
By SHEILA HORTALEZA-AQUINO
THE city government has started clearing illegal structures within the Tondaligan Park area last Wednesday, flattering some 37 squatter houses located in a Muslim community
Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) Chief Robert Erfe-Mejia and City Legal Officer Atty. Geraldine Baniqued led a dialogue with the affected families before the demolition.
A minor tension ensured in the beginning when the squatters barricaded the area but after a dialogue, the latter gave in.
Thirty-five houses were cleared on the first day and two more the next day.
Baniqued reminded the group, composed mainly of Muslim families, about their commitment made back in 2002 to leave the government-owned lot and relocate themselves.
“Three years is more than enough time and negotiations have gone this long because the city granted the plea of the group to postpone the clearing operation several times,” the legal officer explained.
The clearing activity was set in July this year but the Muslims requested postponement till after the Ramadan which ended last November 4. Baniqued pointed out that the activity was not a drive against the Muslim community but part of a program to bolster Tondaligan’s tourism potential.
“This area is considered a danger zone and unsafe to live in,” she told the group, citing its proximity to the waterline. A representative of Gabriela, a militant women’s organization, which had questioned the city government-led demolition, was present at the dialogue .
Erfe-Mejia said Datu Michael Bagul president of the Muslim Association of Dagupan has been coordinating with the city to pursue the plan for development.
The Muslims whose houses will be demolished signed individual agreements providing for their voluntarily evacuation and \dismantling of their structures in the area.
Combined forces of the Dagupan City Police Station, Dagupan City Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Office, City Engineer’s Office, POSO, Task Force Bantay Dagupan, Task Force Anti Hawking, 107th Provincial Mobile Group, Waste Management Division, City Health Office, City Information Office and the media, Philippine National Red Cross Pangasinan Chapter and the Dagupan Electric Corporation ensured the success of the clearing operation.
THE city government has started clearing illegal structures within the Tondaligan Park area last Wednesday, flattering some 37 squatter houses located in a Muslim community
Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) Chief Robert Erfe-Mejia and City Legal Officer Atty. Geraldine Baniqued led a dialogue with the affected families before the demolition.
A minor tension ensured in the beginning when the squatters barricaded the area but after a dialogue, the latter gave in.
Thirty-five houses were cleared on the first day and two more the next day.
Baniqued reminded the group, composed mainly of Muslim families, about their commitment made back in 2002 to leave the government-owned lot and relocate themselves.
“Three years is more than enough time and negotiations have gone this long because the city granted the plea of the group to postpone the clearing operation several times,” the legal officer explained.
The clearing activity was set in July this year but the Muslims requested postponement till after the Ramadan which ended last November 4. Baniqued pointed out that the activity was not a drive against the Muslim community but part of a program to bolster Tondaligan’s tourism potential.
“This area is considered a danger zone and unsafe to live in,” she told the group, citing its proximity to the waterline. A representative of Gabriela, a militant women’s organization, which had questioned the city government-led demolition, was present at the dialogue .
Erfe-Mejia said Datu Michael Bagul president of the Muslim Association of Dagupan has been coordinating with the city to pursue the plan for development.
The Muslims whose houses will be demolished signed individual agreements providing for their voluntarily evacuation and \dismantling of their structures in the area.
Combined forces of the Dagupan City Police Station, Dagupan City Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Office, City Engineer’s Office, POSO, Task Force Bantay Dagupan, Task Force Anti Hawking, 107th Provincial Mobile Group, Waste Management Division, City Health Office, City Information Office and the media, Philippine National Red Cross Pangasinan Chapter and the Dagupan Electric Corporation ensured the success of the clearing operation.
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It's only fitting that the city government demolish those so called 'abodes'. Abodes, they are not! Those dwellings present a big eyesore to the once beautiful beach park.
I visit the beach everytime I go home to the motherland. To my dismay, rampant illegal activities occur in those neighborhoods. I don't need to be a cop to figure things out. All you need is a keen eye and an observant mind. The shacks which are being rented to beach lovers are actually a front for illicit activities like prostitution. With prostitution, shabu is not too far behind.
I never felt safe going to Tundaligan Beach ever since there was an increase of illegal dwelleres there. Thug-looking men were always lurking around whenever I and my group were enjoyring the sun. In short, I never stayed there beyond sundown. Oh how I wished to stay at the beach overnight but the presence of illegal dwellers there shunned those dreams. Perhaps in the near future when the government brings back Tundaligan as a beach park will I have the courage to enjoy the moon and the stars on Tundaligan Beach.
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I visit the beach everytime I go home to the motherland. To my dismay, rampant illegal activities occur in those neighborhoods. I don't need to be a cop to figure things out. All you need is a keen eye and an observant mind. The shacks which are being rented to beach lovers are actually a front for illicit activities like prostitution. With prostitution, shabu is not too far behind.
I never felt safe going to Tundaligan Beach ever since there was an increase of illegal dwelleres there. Thug-looking men were always lurking around whenever I and my group were enjoyring the sun. In short, I never stayed there beyond sundown. Oh how I wished to stay at the beach overnight but the presence of illegal dwellers there shunned those dreams. Perhaps in the near future when the government brings back Tundaligan as a beach park will I have the courage to enjoy the moon and the stars on Tundaligan Beach.
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: 11/16/2005 09:22:00 AM
: 11/16/2005 09:22:00 AM << Home
