Moro group pleads QC govt, PNoy to respect Ramadan as threat of demolition continues

NEWS l August 24, 2011

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—A Moro urban poor group from Sitio San Roque, North Triangle denounces the plan of the local government of Quezon City and the National Housing Authority (NHA) of evicting some 7,000 or more families from the said community, some 500 of them belong to United Muslim Association (UMA) of Bagong Pag-asa.

The local government has announced its plan to demolish the population-thick community of Sitio San Roque to start the implementation of Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD), amidst protests of residents and government employees to be affected by the said project.

“We expect uprising from 2,000 families. Only 7,000 others have been qualified to avail themselves of the relocation and housing program in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and Rodriguez, Rizal,” Quezon City administrator Victor Endriga said.

In a statement released to media last August 5, the city government with the Natinal Housing Authority (NHA) is preparing for the worst scenario of come August 31 as they attempt to evict the remaining residents of Sitio San Roque. NHA and policemen with SWAT agents faced tough resistance from the residents as they barricaded San Roque and paralyzed EDSA in a demolition attempt in September last year.

According to Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, a national urban poor group, some 24,000 urban poor families from seven communities will be trasferred to government relocation sites in Montalban and Bulacan by the accomplishment of the project. To this date, NHA has relocated not less than 5,000 families from Sitio San Roque but almost half of them have come back to the community. Lack of livelihood is their basic concern.

“We ask City Mayor Herbert Bautista and President Aquino to respect Ramadan, as Muslim people all-over the world observe this holy tradition. Their announcement of a demolition by August 31 gives us not even a single day to prepare for the worst scenario,” said Bobby Dicatanongan, UMA president. Ramadan will end on August 30, which the national government will likely proclaim as a national non-working holiday.

The local government's announcement makes the Moro community in San Roque in a defensive mode, even as they observe fasting during the holy period, according to the Moro leader.

“On our part, we declare an total war against the impending demolition of our community, together with other Christian groups in San Roque,” he added. “It is our obligation to Allah to defend our holy mosque and the homes of brothers in faith.”

Just like the placards seen in rallies in the Middle East countries, streamers with calls written in Arabic are hung in the Muslim area of the community. As land surveyors from the City Hall and the NHA became more visible in the past few days, residents expect demolition team to arrive by August 27.

Estrelieta Bagasbas, the leader of September 23 Movement, a coalition of residents with its name attributed to the failed demolition attempt last year has said, “we have designed every aspect of our barricade to thwart any attempt by NHA and the police to demolish our community. We are on high alert starting August 27, even though it's a Saturday, as we learned from experience that demolition teams arrived even if its weekend or a holiday.”

Asked if they are ready to barricade EDSA as they did last year, Bagasbas said, “absolutely, if that's the only thing that could oblige PNoy to interfere, and end his demolition rampage of urban poor communities.”

Reference: Carlito Badion, Lead Convenor, AKD l 09393873736
Bobby Dicatanongan, President, United Muslim Association (UMA) I 09107140717