Urban poor groups threaten to take over military housing units

Another threat to take over the unoccupied units of a housing project for the military and the police was made yesterday by the members of the urban poor groups Kadamay and Montalban Homeless Alliance who trooped to the place in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Police personnel were deployed at the AFP/PNP Housing in Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez following the alleged attempt of the members of the urban poor groups to occupy the Phase A-1 of the mass housing facility around 5 a.m. June 13.

Other members of the two groups held a rally in front of the municipal hall yesterday to reiterate their stand of their alleged right to occupy the vacant units.

In March 2017, Kadamay members were prevented by security personnel of the housing project to occupy the vacant houses in the same area.

Kadamay member Simon Trinidad claimed that they were only exercising their rights, as their action is in recognition of President Duterte’s promise of providing houses to the homeless.

Insisting that they are merely trying to get what is rightfully theirs, Trinidad said the group would remain in the vicinity near the housing project until such time they are allowed to occupy the unattended housing units.

He added that they intend to follow the actions of their comrades in a similar housing project in Pandi, Bulacan. The houses were eventually given to them by the President.

A member of the Barangay San Isidro Homeowners Association said alleged Kadamay members tried to enter the 1B area of the project weeks after the successful occupation of a housing project in Pandi, Bulacan.

However, the attempt three months ago failed to materialize as residents of the Rodriguez area who are former and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police barred them from entering the area.

Yesterday, some Kadamay members rushed to the unoccupied 1A area of the project near Avilon Zoo.

Several of the group members threatened to take similar actions as they vowed to take other unoccupied government housing units in the country.