Rest houses of affluent squatters have to go
The Dagupan City government recently attempted to demolish four rest houses of known affluent families, mostly non-city residents, found squatting along the shoreline in Bonuan Gueset, near the MacArthur Park.
But the demolition was blocked by Bonuan Gueset’s Barangay Captain Rico Mejia who protested what he described as a discriminatory policy of the government. He asked why the four are being targeted when there are other squatters similarly situated.
He volunteered to effect the demolition within 15 days not only of the four identified rest houses whose owners are known to be his good friends but of also other houses that he claims are clearly squatting on government land.
Mejia stood in the way of the demolition team spearheaded by City Engineer Virginia Rosario and escorted by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the police and the Public Order and Safety Office and angrily protested their failure to coordinate the planned demolition with him.
Invoking his authority and the courtesy demanded by his office, Mejia complained that he was not given prior advice about the planned demolition of the houses.
Robert Erfe Mejia, chief of the Public Order and Safety Office, argued that there was no need to furnish the barangay captain a copy of the notice of the demolition since the latter was not expected to get involved in the demolition anyway.
But sources in city hall said the agencies tasked to lead the demolition deliberately refused to give Mejia prior notice since he is known to enjoy the acquaintance of the owners of the rest houses in question. Mejia is reportedly a “kumpadre” of one of the owners.
The city engineer’s office earlier gave the owners of the structures seven days to dismantle their structures and vacate the area since they were in violation of Presidential Decree 772 and 1096. But the owners ignore the notice.
Mejia expressed confidence that he can dismantle all these within 10 days. – AQL
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