Pubdate: Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Ma. Aleta O. Nieva, Jeanette I. Andrade
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SHABU COMPOUND IN PASIG LEVELED

MORE than 50 shanties making up the shabu bazaar in Pasig City were
torn down by crews from city hall Wednesday.

"We are demolishing the shanties to symbolize our seriousness in
stamping out the drug menace in Pasig," Mayor Vicente Eusebio declared
as he watched the demolition of 53 huts inside the Mapayapa Compound
in Barangay Santo Tomas.

The Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operating Task Force (AID-SOTF), which
raided the place last Saturday, was not impressed. It is considering
suing Eusebio for destroying evidence.

Eusebio said, however, that his men took video footage of the compound
before destroying the shanties inside to dispel reports that the city
government bypassed the authority of AID-SOTF and that some evidence
could still be found inside the compound.

"We coordinated with the concerned government agencies. The compound
was empty," he said.

The owner of the compound has not been identified, but Eusebio said
that if the law permits the city government to buy the land, he would
build a rehabilitation center on it.

Carlos Abesamis, Pasig City's legal officer, cited Articles 432 and
436 of the Revised Penal Code as the legal basis for the demolition.

Abesamis classified the structures found inside the compound as
"nuisance per se, since it was being used to perpetuate an illegal
activity that endangers not only the residents of Pasig but people
from outlying cities.

He said even the city council has unanimously approved a resolution
authorizing the demolition of the shanties at the compound.

Even shanties along the sidewalk in front of the compound were torn
down.

Ambrosio Sumadiya, 59, and his three children, who had been living
under a plywood lean-to in front of the compound, said he had no place
to go and that his 12-year-old daughter would be graduating this March.

Eusebio assured Sumadiya of financial assistance.

The legal office of the city has charged Jesus Viray, the barangay
captain of Santo Tomas, with gross negligence and dereliction of duty.
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MAP posted-by: Tom