Empty bottles and stones did not stop the demolition team from dismantling the houses of informal settlers yesterday in Brgy. Punta Taytay, Bacolod City.

Led by court sheriff Joel Belleza, the team had with them the court order issued by Municipal Trial Courts in Cities Judge Abraham Bayona giving them authority to dismantle the 22 remaining houses occupying the 2.8-hectare lot owned by Domingo Pahila in Purok Masinulundon.

The team had demolished 20 houses last month in the same area, during which resistance and tension also rose.

The members of the Punta Taytay Landless Residents Association led by Romeo Daguno negotiated with Belleza asking him not to pursue with the demolition until the distribution of the 1.7-hectare lot owned by Isidro Villarosa in nearby Purok Mahigugmaon, where they intended to transfer.

Daguno said they cannot build their houses there yet because the lot is in a swampy area.

However, Belleza persisted in pursuing the demolition, saying that he was only implementing a court order.

The tension ceased after hours of resistance and the team had demolished all 22 houses except for three, whose owners asked the team to spare them from the demolition as they have sick family members.

Affected families can, at least, stay with their relatives while waiting for the development of the land on which they will transfer. *LTG

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