Paving the way to the Promised Land: Silverio Compound Demolition
Ipinangako ni Noynoy na dadalhin niya tayo sa tuwid na daan. Mali lang ni Juan dela Cruz, hindi niya tinanong kung papano. I-dedemolish pala ang daan para sa mga nakakataas na uri. Kawawang Juan, naisahan. Tsk.
As of the moment, there are reports from netizens that 3 people are dead and 36 others are injured in the bloody demolition of Silverio Compound this morning, April 23, 2012. It is demoralizing to read the news and watch the news feeds, more so seeing pictures of victims of the violent demolition that had just happened.
One of the victims of this bloodshed. There are unconfirmed reports that it appears that he has a gunshot wound at the back of the head.As a human rights activist, a Filipino, and a blogger, I condemn the bloody and extremely violent Silverio Compound demolition. I am not picking on any side, and in this blog entry, I would like to stress out some of my thoughts.
Both the policemen and residents are victims; victims of a very lousy local government. Had the Parañaque government completely and intensively informed the Silverio Compound residents of their plans and laid out all their cards on the table (IF and ONLY IF Mayor Bernabe is telling the truth that SMDC has no plans to acquired the land for future condominium development), a bloodshed wouldn’t have happened. Yes, I know that in an ideal world residents would have cooperated, but in reality a forceful demolition like this one shouldn’t have happened.
Policemen and other members of the force, on the other hand, are also victims of the residents’ fury. They acted impulsively and started shooting like madmen. The shooting spree and all the battering of the policemen are not called for, it is overkill. They should have expected resistance from the people who practically grew up in the area. The people living in the compound can literally give their lives for the land, and that’s exactly what they did. They, PNP, came in unprepared for battle, such an expected move.
With everything that has happened, two challenges are place on top of PNoy’s desk: How to bring justice to the victims of this bloodshed and how to address this situation properly. By victims, I mean not just the people who died and are injured, but the residents who lost their livelihood and will eventually lose their homes. I just hope that this time, Noynoy Aquino will present concrete plans and step up to this challenge. I hope that he develop the “balls” to lead this country properly and with a real direction.
The Jinxed Apple on twitter here —-> Jinxed Apple
