11 injured in Patungan Cove demolition
MARAGONDON, Cavite — About 11 individuals were injured in a violent demolition of a community as so-called Patungan Cove in Barangay Santa Mercedes here, Thursday, January 13, 2022.
A commotion was held when Sheriff Wilmar De Villa and Rommel Sisayan of Fourth Judicial Regional Trial Court, Branch 15, Naic, Cavite served the ‘Writ of Demolition order’ of more or less 214 households in the area.
Based on the court order the property consisted of 4 to 5 hectares with more or less 400 houses, 600 families and 2000 individuals, 289 cottages, 44 island Hopping Boats and 105 Fishing Boats.
Accordingly, the land was entitled to MTV Investment Properties Holding Corporation formerly known as MTV Realty Corporation against Dionisio Ashan et al and all persons claiming rights under them.
Patungan is a place of native fisherfolks residing for so many years where they are threatened by the eviction of Writ of Demolition ordered by the Naic, Regional Trial Court.
At the moment, the communities in Patungan are trying to stop the demolition which resulted in a violent attack against the demolition team.
They provided barricades to prevent the Demolition Team from proceeding to the area. The aggressive residents fighting for their rights of land while having negotiation resulted in the injuries of five (5) PNP Personnel which include the Ground Commander, Police Captain Jerry Flores, Maragondon Police Chief, and three (3) civilians who are part of the demolition team.
Later, Police Provincial Director, Colonel Arnold Abad took over the post as the Ground Commander of the Demolition. Deployment Team for security assistance composed of 296 Cavite PNP Personnel, eight (PNP Maritime Group), two (2) from the Highway Patrol Group, three (3) crews from the PNP Provincial Health Service Unit; six (6) from Coast Guard; thirty (30) from Philippine Marine Corps; and seven (7) from BFP. Cavite PNP is still requesting additional augmentation from the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion to assist as tension erupts between the demolition team and the hostile informal settlers of Patungan.
While Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) and Anakpawis Party-list urged Cavite Governor to intervene and ultimately stop the demolition that resulted in violence wherein three residents sustained gunshot wounds from the police with their courage and determination to defend their community, the fisherfolks and residents were able to frustrate the demolition attempt.
Brgy. Patungan is a coastal community situated along Mt. Palay-Palay, a mountain range known for its famous highest peak called ‘Pico de Loro’. The lone fishing community in Maragondon town has been reportedly sold by the Maria-Teresa Virata Realty Corp. to Manila Southcoast Development Corp. (MSDC), a developing firm owned by late business tycoon Henry Sy. The MSDC plans to convert Patungan into an exclusive beach resort adjacent to its Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas.
In 2016, Writ of Demolition was ordered by the Naic RTC but it did not proceed to be demolished.
