(CNN Philippines, March 26) — Members of militant group KADAMAY vow to fight their possible eviction from the housing units they’re now occupying in Pandi, Bulacan.
KADAMAY members put up barricades in front of the government housing units they once occupied in Bulacan to hopefully hold off authorities once they move in to retake the units.
Since March 8, about 24,000 Kadamay members have occupied around 5,740 vacant units in six project sites.
On March 20, the National Housing Authority (NHA) issued eviction notices which will lapse on Monday.
NHA spokesperson Elsie Trinidad said they will carry out what they call legal eviction of unauthorized occupants.
The Philippine National Police also said it is ready to assist the NHA in restoring order in the occupied areas.
But KADAMAY is also determined to continue fortifying their barricades and do other measures to resist eviction.
KADAMAY Bulacan Spokesperson Rowena Gonzales said, “Kung kinakailangan pong harangan namin ang mga daan, humiga ang kananayan sa kalsada, gagawin po. Ang mga anak po namin ang inilalaban namin dito – ang aming pamilya.”
[Translation: If we need to block the roads, if mothers need to lie down on the street, we will do it. We are fighting for our children and our families here.]
They said they’re being pushed against the wall, and if evicted, they will have nowhere to go.
But BAYAN Secretary General Renato Reyes said they’re not seeking or inciting violence.
Instead, they’re fighting for justice and their right to free mass housing.
Their resistance, Reyes said, is their last resort as they had already sought for a dialogue with authorities.
“Kumbaga ito na yung kulminasyon eh, nagawa na nila lahat. Dumaan na sila lahat ng pwedeng proseso, nilapitan na nila lahat ng opisinang pwedeng lalapitan kaya humantong sila dito,” Reyes said.
[Translation: This is the culmination because they have done everything. They have gone through the necessary processes, they have approached all the offices they could, and that’s why things have come to this.]
Still, Kadamay said they are willing to negotiate with authorities, even as they refuse to leave the area.
They are also calling on the police and military to leave the resettlement areas to avoid the escalation of tensions.
In a statement, the NHA said the evicted settlers can follow NHA housing procedures if they’re pulled out of the resettlement area.
The NHA said once applicants have filled out the Housing Information Form, they will undergo a screening process before they can be selected and awarded a unit.
So far, however, only 324 or less than one percent of the total occupants have submitted a form.
The NHA has yet to address where Kadamay members will stay once they are evicted from the housing units.
(Updated to include statements from the PNP and the NHA.)
