MAYOR STOPS SILANG DEMOLITION, HITS POLITICAL RIVALS FOR FAKE NEWS

THE mayor of Silang, Cavite on Monday denied allegations he had a hand in the demolition that happened last Friday in Bgy. Biga Uno that affected more than 50 families, mostly women and children.

Mayor Ted Carranza condemned his political rivals for the misinformation that the Office of the mayor ordered the demolition.

In fact, Caranza said he was the one who ordered a stop in the ongoing demolition in the village.

“Nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa Office ng Sangguniang Bayan na may nangyayaring demolisyon sa Bgy. Biga Uno . Pinuntahan ko agad at nakita ko na may backhoe at mga guwardya na naka-deploy. ‘Yung mga bata at mga babae, nag-iiyakan kasi minamaso ang mga bahay nila. Kaya agad kong ipinatigil ang nangyayaring demolisyon. Nakita ko na may violation ng human rights,” Carranza told a press conference after the Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

Prior to becoming the mayor of Silang, Carranza, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala Class 1986, ” was the former regional director of the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon).

The affected families trooped to the town hall on Monday and refuted the accusations against Carranza.

Jessa Peñaflor, one of the affected residents who became emotional during the press conference, defended Carranza over the fake news.

“Wala pong kasalanan si Mayor Carranza, Siya pa nga po ang tumulong sa amin,” she said.

The mayor condemned his political rivals for sowing the wrong information that the municipal government instructed the conduct of demolition in Bgy. Biga Uno.

Carranza reiterated that the Office of the Mayor and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) had nothing to do with the incident.

“Our BPLO had nothing to do with the illegal demolition. The order for revocation of permit  is proper after we received  the letter, with court decision, giving us legal basis to close a business in the area. However, our Office nor the Office of the Mayor  has no knowledge  or Order allowing what took place last Friday,” BPLO officer  Lesley Anne Poblete clarified.

Warson Amagan, the leader of the affected families said they want justice to what was done to their homes that caused severe trauma, particularly to the children.

The affected families added that they haven’t even seen the owner of the contested land.

“Matagal na po kaming nakatira diyan. Diyan na kami tumanda pero ni minsan hindi namin nakita ang nagsasabing may-ari ng lupa,” Amagan said.

Carranza, meanwhile, said he would not allow the demolition until the affected families would be given  a decent relocation.

 “Nangangako po ako na hindi po natin papayagan ang anumang pambu-bully. Kay Mayor Carranza, walang mangyayaring pang-aabuso,” the Silang mayor said.

“Winarningan ko lahat ng guwardiya na walang puwedeng maggiba hangga’t walang final court order at walang malilipatan ang mga apektadong pamilya,” the mayor added.