Police, farmers clash as demolition resumes

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Farmers' woes persist as they attempt to stop the resumption of the demolition operations at a 130-hectare farmland in Barangay Maimpis here.

Clashes erupted between the Maimpis farmers and the Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) personnel during the demolition of the disputed land with enraged farmers blocking the demolition equipment and the police attempting to suppress the disorder.

The said demolition started last July 2014, which was followed by a series of shooting incidents that injured several farmers here.

Before the recommencement of the writ of demolition, a standoff took place between the farmers, demolition team, police, and the security guards of Aaron Eagle Security and Investigation Agency Inc., which replaced the Great Star Security Services Inc.

Arriving in the demolition site in Maimpis accompanied by at least 150 police, the demolition workers were met with outrage from the farmers.

It took several hours before the onset of the backhoes, bulldozers, and graders because of the different delaying tactics conducted by the farmers.

"We will fight for our rights as farmers," said farmer Joner Quiambao who lay down near a backhoe in an attempt to stop it from moving forward.

Meanwhile, Virginia Manalo presented the police a handkerchief with an image of Jesus Christ. Manalo believed that God can help them withstand the challenges confronting them.

"Only God above knows what will happen to us. Please save us! God is our last hope against these people who are throwing us away. We have no place to go!" said Manalo.

Not the end

Visit link:
Police, farmers clash as demolition resumes