Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

OFFICE OF HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

Representative, Lone District – San Juan City

PRESS RELEASE                                                                      Ref: Ria Manuel

12 January 2011                                                                   +639175942755/217-7047

JV CONDEMNS VIOLENT CLASH IN CDJ RELOCATION

“I condemn the violent clash that the infiltrators and militants initiated yesterday in Barangay Corazon de Jesus, which left 33 of the policemen, residents, demolition crew, and a government employee injured,” San Juan City Representative JV Ejercito today said.

“There is no place for violence in San Juan. Have we not exercised maximum tolerance, more could have been injured or worst, became casualties. Our policemen did their best to appease the tension, but what more can they do. The infiltrators provoked the policemen, initiated the clash, and were insistent to end yesterday’s relocation with violence,” he explained.

According to the City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), among the 33 individuals hurt were 8 from the PNP, 14 from the demolition team, 7 residents of Barangay Corazon de Jesus, 2 firefighters, 1 member of the media, and the City’s Architect Conrado Palabasan.

The causes of injuries were mostly due to rocks and marble bullets thrown by militants against the policemen. The use of Molotov, pillbox, and knives were also unfortunately used against the demolition team, which the protesters have obviously prepared in advance days before the date of relocation.

Yet despite the violence that the militants and some of the few CDJ residents initiated, Rep. JV said the City Government is still keen to settle with them this hot issue.

“Though it is very obvious that the infiltrators and militants were there not to fight for the residents’ interest but to cause trouble, we are determined in pushing the projects that will be benefit our constituency, especially the poor, who will be given the chance to uplift their stature,” he said.