Two hurt as tension rises during demolition at Dagat-Dagatan

Two people were hurt during the demolition of illegal structures in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City on Monday, a report on Balitanghali said.

One of the injured was a policeman from Caloocan Philippine National Police who was hit by a rock on his head, GMA News' Chino Gaston reported.

The other person injured was a member of the demolition team who had a gunshot wound on his waist.

Police try to penetrate an informal settler compound . Automatic gunfire heard. pic.twitter.com/gftAgKbG1S

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) June 27, 2016

Tension arose as residents armed with rocks, bottles, and arrows faced Caloocan Police assisting the demolition team in Brgy. 8.

Residents put up a barricade, blocking the entrance of the demolition team into the area.

Policemen tried to go after the man who fired the gun but they, together with the Caloocan SWAT team, were unable to find him.

Caloocan Police SWAT on guard after gunfirw heard at Brgy 8 demolitiin in Caloocan. pic.twitter.com/aNLT9K7aUQ

— Chino Gaston (@chinogaston) June 27, 2016

According to the court sheriff of the Caloocan Regional Trial Court, the Supreme Court granted the petition of the original owner of the land to take back about 7,000 square meters included in the area allotted by the National Housing Authority for the relocation of informal settlers in 1983.

The said property, owned by Corazon Baello, was occupied for decades by awardees designated by the NHA.

Residents called on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for help.

They added that no relocation area was offered to them, so the demolition on Monday is illegal. —KG, GMA News