Malabon squatters warn of more bloody confrontation

Despite Malacanang’s assurance of full support for their relocation, the 4,000 families in Malabon City that are the subject of a court-ordered eviction, remained adamant that they would not vacate the lot they are now occupying unless they will be provided with an "affordable and habitable" relocation site.

"The affected families remained firm that there would be no eviction unless they could be provided with an acceptable relocation site," Lorie Simon, 40, Barangay Tonsuya councilor, told The STAR.

"And they are steadfast even if it would mean another bloody confrontation," Simon added.

The families illegally occupying the 5.8 hectares of land owned by the Gozon family along Letre Road in Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon were the subject of a demolition order last Friday that resulted in the injury of at least 10 individuals.

Local officials led by Mayor Tito Oreta, Malabon-Navotas Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Presidential Commission on Urban Poor chairman Precival Chavez, Chief Superintendent Noe Wong and Senior Superintendent Raul Gonzales of the Northern Police District prevented the bloody fight from escalating by deferring the demolition.

Oreta immediately called for a dialogue with the residents and one of the schemes agreed upon was to relocate the affected families in Barangays Dampalit and Panghulo.

Jake Pornelos, leader of barangay tanods in Tonsuya, however, complained that the Dampalit site is not yet suitable for housing. The area, aside from being inadequate for the intended relocatees, was reportedly a fishpond.

The Panghulo site, he added, was already apportioned for some 3,000 families affected by the Philippine National Railway Northrail project and is also a subject of a court litigation.

According to Simon, the supposed beneficiaries could not also afford the P40,000 downpayment being asked by the owners of both properties.

Residents are now bracing for a more bloody confrontation if negotiations fail.

Chavez convinced residents on Friday that his office is now fast-tracking their relocation.

"Automatic naman yan. There’s fund allotted for this but it must go through a process," he said in an interview.

The best way for residents to avail of the privilige, he said is through the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp.’s (NHMFC) Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

The affected residents were given a week to submit documents pertinent to the project.