MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will not allow another takeover by militant group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap of housing units for soldiers and policemen, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement a day after around 500 members of Kadamay tried but failed to occupy idle housing units in Rodriguez, Rizal.
“In the past, the president allowed Kadamay to occupy to government housing project intended for soldiers in Pandi. But if you will recall, the president said that would be the first and the last,” Roque said.
He warned that should the takeover happen again, Kadamay members will “have to deal with the full extent of the law.”
“They cannot take the law into their own hands,” he added.
The president’s mouthpiece also said Duterte has given directives to the Philippine National Police to prevent another takeover by the urban poor group and has ordered the National Housing Authority to explain why there are idle housing units.
Kadamay chairperson Gloria Arellano said the housing units have been idle for more than five years and should be given to the poor.
The government had earlier awarded some 6,000 families housing units resettlement sites in Pandi, Bulacan, which they occupied last year.
However, the NHA said it had validated reports that at least 600 houses awarded to Kadamay members were put up for rent. But Kadamay members accused the NHA of setting them up.
READ: Kadamay members storm Rizal housing project