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RODRIGUEZ, Rizal: Metro Manila and several areas in the province of
Rizal will have a “stinking problem” as suspended Mayor Pedro
Cuerpo and his supporters continue to barricade entrance to the
landfill here, with authorities seeking the help of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government in addressing the situation.
Rizal Police Provincial Office Chief Supt.
Ireneo Dordas said that they have asked the help of officials from
the DILG led by Secretary Ronaldo Puno to intercede and lead a
dialogue between concerned parties before any police action on the
barricade is implemented.
Dordas said that he, along with representatives
from the DILG, nongovernmental organizations, the mayors or
representatives of the local chief executives affected by such
crisis to talk to Cuerpo to stop the apparent stance that he took in
barring the entry of dump trucks into the landfills. The group is
expected to hold a dialogue with Cuerpo at around 8 or 9 in the
morning today.
Dordas said that for Sunday alone, six more dump
trucks suffered flat tires due to spikes thrown by the supporters of
Cuerpo to stop them from coming nearer the barricade and the
landfill site.
The Rizal police chief earlier threatened to
arrest Cuerpo if he still refuses the dump trucks from entering the
landfill but stressed that he will first try to exhaust all peaceful
and diplomatic means before enforcing police force.
Dordas said that they hope to end the crisis at
the soonest possible time due to the growing problem of garbage.
Cuerpo, according to Dordas maintained that they
would no longer allow dump trucks entry into their municipality as
they blocked the main highways leading to the landfills.
Earlier, some 900 residents led by Cuerpo
blocked entry to the landfills with spikes thrown into the streets
paralyzing dump trucks, police cars and even the Metro Manila
Development Authority wreckers late Saturday afternoon.
Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Jun” Ynares 3rd
condemned the apparent lawless act of Cuerpo and his supporters but
likewise appealed to allow the dump trucks entry.
Dordas has threatened to arrest Cuerpo once more
should he refuse to remove the barricades.
Dordas said that he has already talked to
Cuerpo and asked him to remove the said blockades but the suspended
mayor refuses to do so.
As of press time, Dordas said that they are
awaiting members from the Civil Disturbance Group that will help
them in removing the blockades and in “dealing” with the
supporters of Cuerpo.
“If we do not do something we will have a
garbage crisis which is what Mayor Cuerpo wants,” he said, adding
that he has received a directive from Ynares to resolve the problem
immediately.
Charges of traffic obstruction are the first
that may be slapped against the supporters as Dordas said that the
Rizal legal department might have other suggestions.
There are two landfills in Rodriguez. The
14-hectare landfill is under control of the local government while
the 19-hectare landfill is under the provincial government watch.
Rodriguez residents said that they would
continue barricading the road until the municipal and provincial
governments come to an agreement about the management of the
landfills.
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