CATBALOGAN CITY — A plaza dedicated to the memory of the thousands who died in the sinking of the passenger boat Doña Paz has been demolished, sparking outrage among the residents of this city.

Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy expressed shock over the demolition of Pieta Park on Saturday, especially as the city had not issued any permit for the demolition or the planned construction of a fast-food store in the area.

“This is deeply saddening, particularly because the park holds significant historical and cultural value for us Catbaloganons,” he said. “It is also one of the few remaining open spaces in the city and was declared a tangible immovable property by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.”

Pieta Park, located in front of St. Bartholomew Church, was opened on 22 August 1995, during the city’s fiesta, to honor the over 5,000 victims of the Doña Paz tragedy.

To recap, the passenger ship MV Doña Paz, which was traveling from Tacloban City to Manila, made a stop in Catbalogan City to pick up more passengers. The ship collided with the oil tanker MT Vector on 20 December 1987. The collision sparked a fire that ultimately led to the ship sinking, claiming the lives of most passengers, with only 26 survivors.

The park features a marble replica of Michelangelo’s La Pietà, purchased from Italy by the private organization Katbalaoganon Foundation Inc., once led by stage and movie actress Tessie Tomas.

The Diocese of Calbayog claims ownership of part of the site, which was initially considered Catbalogan’s public plaza.

Jhonil Bajado, museum and archives chief at Samar State University, noted that the plaza had once served as a cemetery for prominent figures of Catbalogan during the Spanish colonial period.

“I condemn this deliberate disregard for Catbalogan’s heritage and historical sites,” Bajado stated.

Mayor Uy explained that when the site developer began fencing off the plaza and mobilizing heavy equipment on 3 April, the city government, through the city engineer’s office, immediately issued a notice of violation.

The notice called for an immediate halt to the construction activities and required the developer to submit the necessary permit documents.

Despite the order, however, work continued on Saturday morning, prompting a second inspection by the city engineers. During the inspection, workers agreed to cease the demolition and only clear the debris. The city engineering staff also confirmed that the La Pietà statue remained intact at that time.

Later that same day, however, Mayor Uy, who was busy campaigning for his reelection, was informed that the demolition had continued and that the La Pietà statue had been destroyed.

City Administrator Atty. Dennis G. Cosmod said that in a phone call with the property owner facilitated on-site by the foreman, the owner admitted knowledge of the lack of permits and acknowledged ordering the demolition, including cutting trees without the appropriate permits.

The owner also claimed that the demolition, including that of the statue, was done with the knowledge of the parish priest and Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarqez, and that there are plans to improve the site.