DAVAO CITY—Urban poor groups rallied behind Mayor Sara Duterte here, saying national government authorities should investigate violent demolitions, not the mayor who beat up a sheriff enforcing a court order to demolish a slum.
Carrying placards that read “Investigate policemen carrying out demolitions,” the groups called on Malacañang to turn its attention on the lack of housing for the poor instead of Duterte’s apparent defense of a squatter community.
The groups rallied at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILFG) office here, but a DILG regional official said they were barking up the wrong tree.
Ananias Villacorta, regional DILG director, said housing and demolitions were beyond DILG jurisdiction. Villacorta also said his office has no direct role in investigating Duterte.
The groups, led by Kadamay and the Alyansa Laban sa Demolisyon (Alliance against Demolition), marched from Agdao and picketed the office of the DILG here.
Settlers staying on a contested lot said they had been seeking clarification if their houses were listed for demolition in the court order being enforced by sheriff Abe Andres, who took several punches from Duterte.
Minda Sayson, vice president of the United Settlers Association of Bangoy Soliman Inc., said the settlers were ready to leave had they been informed their houses were on the court list of structures up for demolition.
“Up to the last minute, no one answered our questions,” she said. “Instead of answers, all we got were policemen in full battle gear, even snipers and truckloads of minors bearing sharp objects, all ready to fight.”
Settlers have occupied the contested piece of property since the 1950s, according to Sayson.
She said settlers have been waiting for a survey of the area to determine which could be sold to them, and which belonged to a Chinese businessman who had laid claim to the lot.
The Municipal Trial Court in 2009 ordered the survey, but Sayson said this never materialized.
“This would not have happened if they only had surveyed the area because those who were affected were willing to voluntarily relocate,” she said.