OFWs condemn killing in Paranaque’s Silverio compound; says demolition done brutally, bloody and senseless

Press Release

24 April 2012

OFWs condemn killing in Paranaque’s Silverio compound; says demolition done brutally, bloody and senseless

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are aghast on the killing of a resident in a compound in Paranaque after the government demolition team used unnecessary force against the urban poor communities and families according to a migrant rights’ group in the Middle East.

“We are horrified on the news of the killing of a resident and the used of unnecessary force and brutality of the demolition team over the Silverio compound residents in Paranaque yesterday. We condemn in the strongest terms this brutality!” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Yesterday, violent demolition of homes took placed in the Silverio compound in Paranaque by combined forces of the SWAT, local government authorities and security forces of business tycoon Henry Sy.

The said demolition resulted in the massacre of four residents, including two minors, and grave physical injuries to dozens more.

“The series of brute demolitions conducted by various local governments in Metro Manila is in compliance to the economic thrust of the Aquino III govt. specifically its private-public partnership that favours big businessmen rather than the affected urban poor communities and dwellers,” Monterona adding that the Aquino III govt. had practically placed Metro Manila as a ‘No man’s land’ for urban poor communities and dwellers.

Monterona said a number of OFWs, mostly leaders of various OFWs organizations called him expressing their solidarity and supports in the struggle and fight of urban poor communities and families.

OFWs’ anti-demolition sentiments flooded social networking sites. OFWs also expressed sympathies and supports for Silverio Compound residents in Paranaque.

“Many of our fellow OFWs came from urban poor families and dwellers in Metro Manila who were forced to accept jobs abroad. Thus, urban poor dwellers’ fight against the demolition is not just to save their houses but to keep their home intact, dignity respected, and livelihood sustained,” Monterona added.

He added that OFWs solidarity and supports for urban communities and families will be concretely conveyed by sending Appeal cum condemnation Letters to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Justice, and The Office of the President to immediately conduct an investigation and made those responsible to this crime accountable.

“We also call on the appropriate committees in Congress to conduct their own investigation, in aid of legislation or work for the passage of anti-demolition law or equivalent. If necessary, Congress may recommend the filing of criminal charges against the demolition personnel, the local govt. and business tycoon Henry Sy,” Monterona added.

He said the struggle of Filipino urban poor communities and dwellers is worthy of our OFWs support. “We will launch, in support to our urban poor communities in the Philippines, an international campaign along with various OFW groups around the world,” Monterona declared.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator

Email: migranteme@gmail.com