The civil guards of Utiel They have to face a new setback, while they are still recovering from the devastating effects of DANA. Without prior notice and without any justification, They will have to leave with their familiesthe pavilions of the Civil Guard Post and they will have to do it in just one week. There is no official communication or document that supports it.in fact they have only been informed verbally, and It is unknown who made the decision.
But, despite the absence of information, the agents They will have to leave their homes within a period of seven days. An “intolerable” situation, which has already been denounced by the Unified Association of the Civil Guard (AUGC) which demands “immediately” the halt of the eviction until “a viable and dignified alternative is offered to all affected families.” Because, as they explain, the Administration has put only four homes available to agentsan “insufficient” figure for the number of people affected. In addition, they point out that these homes are in “deplorable habitable conditions.”
“It is a shame that those who protect citizens face such a humiliating and arbitrary situation“, they reiterate from this association and insist on the need for there to be “total transparency around this decision” and that includes making known the reasons that led to this decision and, most importantly, who is responsible.
“Abandonment” and “disrespect”
From AUGC they publicly denounce “the situation of abandonment, lack of respect and absence of legal guarantees” that the civil guards and their families residing in the pavilions of the Civil Guard Post in Utiel are suffering and demand guarantees that the agents and their families will not be forced to live in “unworthy conditions or in a situation of helplessness.” And at this point, they emphasize that “it is outrageous that, in the 21st century, those who ensure the safety of citizens are treated in this way.”
Because, they insist, “this way of proceeding is intolerable and contrary to the basic rights of any citizen, including those who dedicate their lives to public service and the safety of all” and the Administration is the first one that must guarantee that these rights are fulfilled. For the moment, the first step would be for the authorities to step forward and They will explain the reasons for the eviction and identify the person or entity responsible to take this measure “as arbitrary as it is inconsiderate,” they conclude.
The “heroes” of Utiel
The news of the eviction comes after having experienced emotional moments after the DANA that devastated this Valencian municipality. One of them was the one starring an older couple from Utiel, Ana and Nasta, and the civil guards who rescued them that fateful October 29. Days after what happened, both went to the barracks to thank you for your heroic response that day and why they are still alive today.
Through tears, Ana remembered how Corporal Fran grabbed her tightly in the middle of the torrent and he said to him: “If you leave, I will follow.” A reunion that ended with a emotional hug and words of comfort from the agent after what he experienced: “But here we are both, have you seen how I was right?” And Ana insisted: “I have to say it somewhere, I have to thank all the Civil Guard that has helped me. If they don’t come… I wouldn’t be here with my husband. “I have no words, I don’t even know how to explain it, but I will be grateful all my life.”
According to sources from the Civil Guard, this couple was trapped in their vehicle around 1:00 p.m. on October 29. To reach them, The agents tied themselves to a rope and crossed the torrent. Afterwards, they put them on a tractor and managed to get them to safety. Because as the Armed Institute emphasizes, thanks to the help of the field workers, who contributed their machinery from the first minute and “they took a chance driving it”the Civil Guard was able to save dozens of people in this Valencian town.