Anti-demolition network prepares against possible dispersal today of urban poor camp out at NHA [Saying that Aquino is no different from Arroyo]

PRESS RELEASE l 22 NOVEMBER 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
REFERENCES: Carlito Badion, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon national convener, 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Members from various urban poor groups in Metro Manila is in full defense this morning of a possible dispersal led by the National Housing Authority and the local police.

Preparing against a possible dispersal at the gate of the National Housing Authority main office along Elliptical Road in Quezon City anytime today, and demolition of the structure they erected at the facade of the agency, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon led by urban group Kadamay holds a program this morning at 7am in condemnation of the brutal response of the Aquino administration to their struggle.

"Since we started our camp-out at the NHA main office, no one from the said agency has even dared ask us of our intention. The possible dispersal of our camp out today is a sample of the brutality of the housing agency, and how it treats every urban poor in the Philippines as garbage, stripped of their right to a decent housing program. We condemn any possible attempt of NHA, and the local police to disperse our group," said Ka Inday Bagasbas, AKD spokesperson.

“Aquino is undeniably more brutal than Arroyo on how he treats the urban poor. The brutal demolition of homes in Sitio San Roque last year and similar cases of eviction of urban poor communities from their homes nationwide, as well as the possible dispersal today of our protest camp is enough to justify our claim that he is the ‘demolition king,” puppet to the big corporations and foreign capitalists,” said Ka Inday.

The camp-out has started on Nov 14 aiming to clinch a nationwide moratorium against demolition. Harassment to the campers by allegedly elements of military in civilian clothes has been frequent in the last few days, especially at night. The network received report of a planned dispersal of the campers by the NHA as they plan to demolish homes of residents of North Triangle, who are among the primary mainstays of the AKD camp out.

"The possible dispersal is part of the campaign of the Aquino administration against the urban poor. It is entirely connected with the NHA’s plan to implement massive demolition of homes in Sitio San Roque, who are already setting up their community barricade against a possible demolition tomorrow, Nov 23,” she added.

“We are calling on every urban poor who are affected by the Aquino administration’s demolition spree nationwide to support our fight against demolition. Occupy NHA offices in your localities, until a nationwide moratorium on demolition is clinched,” Bagasbas said. The group also aims for the passage of HB 5443 in Congress that will repeal the anti-urban poor Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), a law that legitimizes demolition.

The NHA occupation will attempt to make a big action on Nov 30, which the militants considered as Araw ng Anakpawis (Day of the Toiling Masses) as tribute to a tribute to the great revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, when thousands of urban poor, workers and other sectors are expected to march to Mendiola.###