5 small Subic villages to be demolished

SUBIC, Zambales – Five more sitios in Barangay Cawag here are set to be dismantled due to the ongoing expansion of Korean giant shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.

Gov. Amor Deloso, in a meeting with local leaders Tuesday, said sitios Nagyantok, Nagtulong, Kabitaogan, Kinabuksan, and Silangin must be go for the “progress and development of the province.”

The five small communities are occupied by fishermen, upland farmers and members of the indigenous Aeta tribe.These areas are also part of Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio town where some 1,000 families reside.

Deloso forewarned Hanjin Company, SBMA and other offices allied with the project to take necessary precaution, adhere to laws and observe human rights in the area.
“Huwag ninyong partisan ang nangyari sa Sitio Agusuin kung saan nilansag ang baryo sa marahas na paraan at parang hayop na itinaboy ang mga residente doon,” Deloso warned authorities.

Sitio Agusuhin, home to some 460 families, was dismantled by alleged forces of the government, including forest rangers from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
The displaced residents claimed “they were brutally dumped in sleep and dirty beside the company site.”

Alberto Salcedo, leader of Samahang Nagkakaisang Residente ng Agusuin, said the P18 million fund allocated by the company for the displaced residents was mishandled and a huge part of it was reported missing.

PEOPLES JOURNAL
By: Johnny R. Reblando