Rumors drive Malabon squatters to block road

The Malabon City government on Wednesday denied reports that it was set to demolish a shantytown occupied by some 700 families in Sitio 6, Barangay (village) Catmon, after rumors prompted the residents to block a major road leading to their homes.

Bong Padua, chief of the city’s public information office, said the rumors stemmed from a mere “misunderstanding” after a truck operated by the city sidewalk clearing operations group passed by the area on Sunday to clear obstructions in front of a gate leading to a private property in the village.

“We cleared the structures there because the legitimate occupants have been complaining that the structures, built by the informal settlers, were obstructing their way out,” he added.

“And when the sidewalk clearing operations group started clearing up the structures, the informal settlers panicked and thought there was a demolition. But in fact, we are not demolishing their houses,” Padua said.

The informal settlers blocked part of Governor W. Pascual Avenue Wednesday morning as they anticipated the arrival of demolition crews sent by the city government. They dispersed later in the afternoon.