Manila Four people were killed while 36 others were injured when policemen and residents of a shanty town clashed Monday morning in Parañaque City in Metro Manila, police and human rights groups said.
Arnel Leonor, 36, died from gunshot wounds, his head crushed, when found on Sucat Road minutes after the riot erupted at the Silverio Compound at 10am, said Lourdes Villarias, chairperson of Karapatan-National Capital Region (NCR), a human rights group.
Three other unidentified residents died during the clash, said Villarias.
She did not give details.
Bodging Isaias and Rodman Ortega, both 16, sustained gunshot wounds, said Villarias, adding all the injured were brought to nearby hospitals for treatment.
As early as 6am, around 10,000 illegal settlers and market vendors blocked the roads leading to the Silverio Compound, radio and TV reports said.
"We will not allow the government to push us away from our place," said Shella Bernal, chairperson of Kadamay, the organised group at the compound.
The demolition team lobbed tear gas at the informal settlers who formed human barricades and put up wooden barricades, and threw rocks and iron rods at the phalanx of policemen.
Gunshots were heard before the clash.
Other sources said policemen were also injured.
A total of 30 residents were arrested, said Nardy Sabino, secretary-general of the Promotion of Church Peoples Response.
Investigation
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo called for an investigation of the incident.
"We have to determine if the gunshot wounds sustained by those who were killed and injured were inflicted by government-issued guns."
Cristina Palabay, convenor of End Impunity Alliance, said: "The Aquino administration has been promoting his economic programme called public-private-partnership, and gives credence to private corporate interests such as that of the SM Development Corporation owned by mall-mogul Henry Sy."
