From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5): AFP sees no problem in President Duterte decision to give Bulacan houses to KADAMAY
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees no problem with the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to give up housing units in Pandi, Bulacan, meant for soldiers, to members of the militant group KADAMAY who were illegally occupying these houses since March.
"The AFP sees no problem with the President's decision as the transfer was meant to curb any possible outbreak of violence. New units will be provided to affected awardees," said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla on Wednesday.
Around 10,000 troops have signified to acquire units in the various National Housing Authority (NHA) project nationwide.
The housing project named the Pandi-Bulacan Villa Lois, which taken over by KADAMAY members, has around 675 units allocated to members of the military and police.
However, soldiers who managed to see some of the units are requesting for bigger houses as the ones being given away are too small for them, Padilla pointed out.
"Some of our soldiers have made a request (to concerned government agency) that they be given two units, instead of one, as the houses are too small, and they have the means to pay for them," the AFP spokesperson stressed.
He also clarified that only the NHA housing project in Pandi, Bulacan will be given to KADAMAY members.
"The President is asking them (KADAMAY members) that this is the last time they will do this. The government is well aware of their plight and doing everything it can to address this but their decision to just occupy these homes are not in accordance with NHA regulations as it is unfair for individuals who have complied with the regular process," Padilla pointed out.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=977918
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY-Alliance of Urban Poor Associations)is a Communist Party of the Philippines front organization.
ReplyDeleteCaving in to KADAMAY's occupation of government housing units (supposedly built for soldiers and police) may avoid violence in the short term but it gives KADAMAY a "win" that demonstrates its ability to "deliver the goods" for at least some of its urban poor constituency.
Duterte's decision, despite his warning to the group not to repeat this behavior, probably guarantees that KADAMAY will use the same tactic as some point in the future.