Duterte to PNP: Stop Kadamay housing takeover
President Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent the militant urban poor group Kadamay from taking over government housing units following an attempt to occupy another project in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Kadamay members would face the “full extent of the law” if they forcibly occupy another housing project intended for other beneficiaries.
“In the past, President allowed Kadamay to occupy government housing project intended for soldiers in Pandi. But if you will recall, the President said that would be the first and the last. Given this latest attempt,
the President has given directives to the police that Kadamay should not be allowed to take over these housing units,” he said in a Palace press briefing.
Roque said the National Housing Authority (NHA) has also been directed by the President to explain why the housing project remains idle and when they plan to give the units to the intended beneficiaries.
Around 500 Kadamay members stormed a housing project built by the government for soldiers and policemen in Rodriguez, Rizal, last Wednesday. The protesters claimed that the housing units have been idle for many years and should be given to the poor.
Local policemen reportedly secured the area from the Kadamay members who were forced to retreat from their housing takeover.
Kadamay warned Roque said no charges would be filed against Kadamay since its members failed to occupy the government housing units. But he reminded Kadamay against taking the law into their own hands, saying they would be dealt with, with the full force of the law.
Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, warned that Kadamay members will be arrested if they occupy government housing projects for policemen and soldiers.
“I don’t think that it is right to just occupy houses. Remember those houses were already either paid or that some policemen or soldiers have already paid a down payment for those units,” said Albayalde.
Albayalde said that Kadamay members might have been deemed it appropriate to occupy housing units after they were tolerated in occupying housing units in Bulacan.
“But this is a different story. They can be arrested for that,” said Albayalde.
“Whether or not there is an order, if we see that they would just occupy houses that do not belong to them, that is trespassing. That’s a violation of the law,” he added.
Arrest them Senators on Thursday called on the Duterte administration to file the necessary charges against members of the informal settlers’ group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) for trying to occupy anew a housing settlement intended by the government for military and police personnel.
“If they have transgressed our laws, they should be charged,” Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said in a press conference.
Drilon said this is what happens when the government fails to enforce the rule of law.
“As I have said earlier in relation to the spate of killings that we see, this is failure to enforce the rule of law. They get used to it if we neglect to implement the law.”
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito echoed Drilon’s call, saying the NHA and the local police force need to ensure the security of government housing projects given the fact this is not the first time this has happened.
“I am deeply concerned about the news that once again some members of the urban poor group Kadamay attempted to occupy the housing units allotted for our military and police personnel. We need to ensure that everyone follow the rule of law,” Ejercito, chair of the Senate housing and urban resettlement committee, said.
“On one hand, it signifies a breakdown in law and order. On the other hand, it is a reflection of the failure of government to provide decent housing for our people,” he pointed out.
“Sobra na ito. Anarchy. Di na dapatpalampasin dahil hindi ito nakakatulong sa sitwasyon at problema sa programang pabahay (This is too much. Anarchy. We should not let this pass because doing so won’t solve the situation and problems on housing programs),” he said.
“Hindi na pwede gamitin ang rason na sila ay mahihirap at napapabayaan. Mahihirap din ang kanilang piniperwisyo na nakatira sa mga pabahay nguni’t responsableng nagsisikap at nagbabayad sa NHA o Pag-IBIG (They cannot use the same reason again that they are poor and neglected. The ones they are harassing are responsible people and have started paying the right dues with the NHA or Pag-IBIG),” Ejercito pointed out.