Two-year-old child, critical after suffering injuries in a demolition of home in Valenzuela

We request our friends in the media to cover the case of Maybellin Fronda, a two-year girl whose bones in her neck and spine were dislocated after staffs of DSWD forcibly took the girl from her mother during a demolition of their homes in Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela City last May 31.

Her situation now is very critical, according to report of her mother.

The girl was rushed to Philippine Orthopedic Center in June 3, and two weeks after being hospitalized, the girl hasn't received any medication with regards to her condition. Her parents work in a nearby junkshop cannot afford the expensive MRI procedure which is necessary to examine the condition of the child.

The local government unit led by Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian which was behind the violent demolition of homes in Bignay and DSWD-Valenzuela have promised to shoulder the medication of the child.

Until now, the LGU and DSWD have not provided any significant  help, even as the child is in a near-death state in the said hospital. According to the mother, even some of the free services of the POC have been denied to the child until now. And mysterious individuals, believed to be working for the Valenzuela LGU, have been watching over the child and her mother at the hospital.

Meanwhile, urban poor group KADAMAY has condemned the violent demolition of homes in Bignay, Valenzuela, as well as the scheme of the DSWD in working with the demolition team to expedite demolition of homes, instead of ensuring the welfare and safety of the demolition victims.