More than 30 houses were demolished by the Manila Police District (MPD) in Granate Street, Brgy. San Andres, Manila on Thursday, September 28.
Interviewed by RH Boy Gonzales, an affected resident named Jessica insisted that the City Engineer and the MPD failed to present a court order which formally directed the demolition of the houses.
"Noong una, sabi nila structure [ang problema kaya pina-demolish]. Nagbreak sila at bumalik sila, biglang si Mayor [Honey Lacuna] ang ginamit nila. Order daw ni Mayor [Honey] Lacuna. Order daw po, pero wala pong pirma ni Mayor. Walang mayor's permit din po," she added.
The resident stressed that their human rights have been violated due to the unnoticed and unauthorized demolition.
Rafel, one of the residents who lost their homes, lamented that they have no other places to move in.
"Dito muna sa kalye, maglalagay ako ng tent dito. Hanapan nila ako ng titirhan, sila nagpagiba eh. Ayan diyan, gagawa ako ng tent," he said in a separate interview.
The affected elderly resident said the authorities did not give them any consideration.
"Bakit naman ganyan? Hindi man lang nila kami binigyan ng kahit consideration. Wala eh, mahirap talaga maging mahirap eh," he emphasized.
As of this writing, the local government unit (LGU) of Manila has yet issued a statement on the demolition.
