Davao is in turmoil nowadays. The flash flood that occurred devastated lives and property. Now is the time for a leader to lead but he or she is leading the leader must also be respected.
The case of Sara Duterte punching the city sheriff is a case of of a leader trying to control a dire situation but was disrespected.
The sudden flood killed more than 30 DavaoeƱos. Almost all houses by the river banks were damaged. A lot more are in the evacuation center. There are still some missing persons. Everyone is asking that they be given attention by the city government.
The mayor was in the midst of attending to these needs but somehow some one thought that it is more important to demolish shanties than help ease up the effects of the flash flood.
Now, the demolition is very much legal as there was a court order for it to be done. The legal owner of the property where the shanties are located is already claiming the land. Legal. I always frown on squatters who thought that because the land is there, they can just settle and use it as their own even if the land is not theirs. Blame the Lina Law.
The big No No here however is timing when they want to demolish the area. Again the city is already in anguish. All resources are needed by the city government to help the calamity stricken. There is no such thing on the court order as for the exact hour when the demolition should take place. Perhaps it can be delayed for at least a few hours. For a sheriff to think that he is doing right by placing more importance to a demolition of shanties, even if it was pre-scheduled already, is a big dumb-ass idea. There is so much pain in your area of responsibility and yet that is what you put your office resources to? You drag the police who could have been helping secure some of the areas that are directly hit by the calamity. You drag demolition guys who could have instead assisted in making the river side safe again or at least helping damaged houses be repaired to avoid further accidents.
The mayor was actually just asking for another 2 more hours allowance time so she could personally make sure that nothing untoward will happen in the demolition. She could not go to the place right away as she was trying to facilitate the assistance to those who were affected by the flood. But the sheriff do not want to give her that. He disregarded her. Disrespected to say the least. And so what the mayor feared for happened. A riot ensued. A policeman was brought to the hospital. A number of DavaoeƱos were injured. How do you think would a mayor feel?
Disregarding a humble appeal from the mayor to delay the demolition is like disregarding the fact that there are other people in the community who needs much needed importance. Disrespectful to the mayor, disrespectful to his own anguished kababayans.
If I was the mayor, I would have done the same. That is my opinion on this.
Good job Ms Duterte!
