SAN Juan’s new city hall will rise in Barangay Corazon de Jesus that happens to be home not only to Pinaglabanan Park, a historical shrine, but to 103 families of informal settlers as well.
On Tuesday, violence erupted in the barangay as defiant residents clashed with the demolition crew sent by the city government, leaving at least 40 people injured.
Award-winning photojournalist Luis Liwanag shares with VERA Files his video of the demolition that is now the subject of an investigation ordered by President Benigno Aquino III.
San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez had earlier told the Palace that residents had agreed to voluntary relocation.
But a number of residents, many of them now homeless, refute the claim. They complained that the relocation sites are far from their workplaces and children’s school. They also claim the lots as theirs, saying these were distributed to them during the term of Corazon Aquino.
Following Tuesday’s incident, Malacanang said the government will finish a master plan on informal settlers in a week or so.