An estimated 30 to 40 homes were destroyed following a recent demolition in FB Harrison, Pasay City on Thursday, August 1.
Residents claimed they were unaware of the scheduled demolition of their houses.
Authorities forcibly demolished homes on a 3,000-square-meter plot of land where residents reportedly fought to keep their homes.
According to the residents, they were not informed about the demolition proceedings because the barangay allegedly suppressed the court order, leaving them in the dark about the situation.
"Sa totoo nga lang ay katatanggap lang namin ng order ngayon, dapat may karapatan po kaming 30 dyas para mapagbigyan kami para mag evacuate, kaso pinepwersa nila kami," a resident from the land said.
"Pang-apat na attempt na nila 'to, nagtagumpay sila sa ngayon," she added.
The court demolition order was allegedly issued on July 17. However, the barangay, which received the order on July 2, did not disclose this information to the residents until the day of the demolition.
Residents also claimed that a private company offered P50,000 to some homeowners to encourage them to leave. However, barangay officials allegedly reduced the amount, taking P15,000 from each individual.
Pasay PNP Chief Col. Samuel Pabonita stated that the situation is now under control. However, residents are still uncertain about where they will go or relocate.
The residents are appealing to the local government unit (LGU) of Pasay for assistance with relocation.
