(Amidst unabated threats of demolition of urban poor communities) Urban poor group hits PNoy's 'demolition rampage,' criticize govt's P5.6B resettlement budget as demolition budget

NEWS I August 18, 2011

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Urban poor settlers under Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a national alliance against demolitions, faced by threats of eviction from their communities in almost every major urban centers in the country today condem the unabated 'demolition rampage' of the Aquino government as they hold a picket at the main office of the National Housing Authority. Recently, they tagged the president as 'demolition king.'

This week, two demolition attempts were recorded by the alliance, in Manggahan-Kawayanan in Paranaque and Lupang Arenda in Rizal. This morning, residents along NIA Road in Pinyahan, QC are preparing against a major clearing of their houses to be done by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In days and weeks to come, big communities are in the list of the government for demolition, including Sitio San Roque, in North Triangle and Damayang Lagi Creekside Community in QC, Kadiwa in Navotas, and Soliman in Agdao District, Davao City. Many more, according to the group, remain unrecorded.

“As the plans of the government to evict urban poor settlers continue with new threats being recorded everyday by the alliance, it only means that Aquino has no plan whatsoever of abating the countless human right violations and violence related to demolition, and bringing justice for the three community leaders who were killed in defense of their communities during Aquino's first year in office.” according to Carlito Badion, lead convenor of AKD.