Os Cangaceiros
26th April 2012, 03:55
One person has died and at least six people have been injured in a riot in the Philippines capital, Manila.
Hundreds of squatters blocked off a road and threw rocks at heavily-armed riot police in the residential suburb of Paranaque.
Authorities say the decision to move a market place to make way for low-cost housing sparked the clash, after squatters were told they would also be moved out of their homes.
Police say one man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, after the rioters dispersed.
A village watchman was also shot and is in a critical condition in hospital.
The police commander, Senior Inspector Ani Endraca, says he can't confirm reports officers fired an assault rifle towards the squatters.
"If you saw the situation here, you would think you were in Iraq," he said.
He says five police officers and government officials were hit by flying rocks.
More than two million people, or about one fifth of the sprawling city's population, are classified as squatters.
Violent clashes between riot police and the squatters are relatively frequent in the highly-congested city.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-04-23/one-dead-six-injured-in-philippines-riot/932168
Hundreds of squatters blocked off a road and threw rocks at heavily-armed riot police in the residential suburb of Paranaque.
Authorities say the decision to move a market place to make way for low-cost housing sparked the clash, after squatters were told they would also be moved out of their homes.
Police say one man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, after the rioters dispersed.
A village watchman was also shot and is in a critical condition in hospital.
The police commander, Senior Inspector Ani Endraca, says he can't confirm reports officers fired an assault rifle towards the squatters.
"If you saw the situation here, you would think you were in Iraq," he said.
He says five police officers and government officials were hit by flying rocks.
More than two million people, or about one fifth of the sprawling city's population, are classified as squatters.
Violent clashes between riot police and the squatters are relatively frequent in the highly-congested city.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-04-23/one-dead-six-injured-in-philippines-riot/932168