Suspend cops in Paranaque demolition, Akbayan urges PNP

MANILA, Philippines – The Akbayan party on Monday, April 23, urged the chief of the Philippine National Police to suspend the cops involved in the violent dispersal of informal settlers at Silverio compound in Parañaque, Metro Manila.

In a statement, Akbayan also called on President Benigno Aquino III to deliver on his promise to order a national moratorium on forced demolitions.

On TV, cops were seen beating up and slapping squatters who were being forced to leave the compound. PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome should suspend the policemen involved in the incident, Akbayan said. “There is no excuse for police brutality. The PNP must always display professionalism even in the most difficult situations,” Akbayan added.

The party, which is allied with the Aquino government, said the incident should serve as a “wake-up call” for the administration to finally craft a “humane program” of relocating and housing informal settlers.

For more on the issues regarding informal settlers, read a Rappler piece on it by Lila Shahani and Sylvia Mayuga: Can informal settlers co-exist with the rich in the big city? – Rappler.com