(As thousands march the street of Davao City) 'We need more Inday Sara to end violent demolitions,' says urban poor group

PRESS RELEASE
July 8, 2011


Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a national alliance against demolition, expresses solidarity with the people of Davao City who hold a big mobilization today in support to their Mayor Sara Duterte who faces possible sanctions from punching a court sheriff in last week's demolition.

"We need more Sara Duterte among our government officials who will put a stop to the violent practice of court and government units in executing demolition of urban poor communities," says Carlito Badion, AKD national convenor.

AKD defends the punching of Inday Sara as a necessary effort to avoid greater violence to erupt between the demolition squad with the PNP and the agitated residents of Soliman.

The group however condemns Inday Sara's offering of in-city relocations or CMP (Community Mortgage Program) to the residents of Soliman for it only means "demolition of the residents' houses in favor of a big businessman."

"We challenge Inday Sara to return the support and side with the urban poor who march the streets of Davao City today in thousands," Badion adds. "Defend the right of the Soliman residents to own their land against the rich claimant."

From the accounts of AKD, no less than 7,000 families were evicted from their homes in the first year of the Aquino administration in Metro Manila alone. Most of them were evicted violently and thrown to far-flung off-city relocation sites.

Some 310,000 families according to Demolition Watch are due to be evicted from their settlements in the coming years as the Aquino administration pursue its development projects programs in favor of big businessmen in its 6-year Philippine Development Plan.


Reference: Carlito Badion, Alyansa Kontra-Demolisyon Lead Convenor (09393873736)