Int’l fact-finding mission to look into Makati demolition

MANILA, Philippines—An international human rights group has sent a representative to the country to look into possible violations committed by the local government of Makati City against informal settlers evicted from the fire-damaged Laperal Compound two weeks after a clash between residents and police took place.

Ben Rutledge, the legal officer of the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (Cohre) based in Geneva, Switzerland, went to Laperal Compound on Wednesday to initiate a week-long fact-finding mission to find out on how the local government dealt with the situation.

“Usually, people are forcibly relocated to areas where they have no access to education and livelihood. The tendency is for them to come back to slum areas,” said Rutledge.

He cited that the Philippines is obliged to follow Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees victims of adequate housing and resettlement in socialized housing schemes.

Rutledge said he would propose to Makati government officials that the settlers be relocated within the city, adding that he was scheduled to find out how the settlers were faring in the places where they were transferred.

“Makati is one of the richest cities in the country. Why can’t they give the victims a relocation site in the city?” he said.

Rutledge cited the violence that marred the clearing operations on April 28 and April 27.

The Swiss-based organization, in a statement, condemned the acts of violence especially against women and children at the height of the demolition operations.

Mayor Erwin Binay, for his part, said he welcomes any third-party report on the issue. The city council has allocated a budget of P20 million in financial assistance and relocation efforts to eligible beneficiaries in the provinces of Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal.

“We’re ready to face any investigation. We are not afraid of anything,” he said. “We are more than happy to face anyone.”