Police disperse protest over demolition

By:Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

SUBIC, Zambales: The Subic police dispersed a protest rally in front of the municipal hall on Thursday evening.

The protesters are families from Sitio Nagkulong, Cawag, Subic, who have been ordered to vacate their home following a demolition order from Judge Richard Paradeza of the Olongapo Regional Trail Court.

In a bid to stop the demolition and salvage their belonging the residents temporarily left their homes to hold a picket in front of the municipal hall of Subic and appeal to Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun of Subic.

Khonghun said that he already had initial talks with the owner of the land to give the resident time until they find a relocation site near the area.

Khonghun said the protesters agreed to leave the premises at 4 p.m. but they stayed on until police authorities using water canons dispersed their protest action.

“There would have been no problem if they did their protest at the freedom park located near the public market,” Khonghun said.

Prior to the dispersal Subic Police Chief Cezar Jacob told The Manila Times that the protester threw a rock at the office of Khonghun and broke a glass window. Another threw paint at the seal of the municipality of Subic in front of the mayor’s office.

No one was hurt during the dispersal. --