World | Philippines
Rights commission seeks law against forced evictions
The Commission on Human Rights urged city councils in Metro Manila to come up with a law against the "unjust" demolition of squatter settlements as informal settler groups demonstrated against the government eviction drive.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 23:15 September 2, 2008
Manila: The Commission on Human Rights urged city councils in Metro Manila to come up with a law against the "unjust" demolition of squatter settlements as informal settler groups demonstrated against the government eviction drive.
Human Rights Commissioner Leila de Lima, in a speech delivered on Tuesday, urged the national government to issue a moratorium on the destruction of squatter structures in Metro Manila.
"One of the most important campaigns of the Commission on human rights protection is the drive to put an end to illegal demolitions and forced evictions," De Lima said.
Left homeless
As De Lima was making her speech in suburban Quezon City, demolition crews of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) went about demolishing squatter houses along the stretch of Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City's East Rembo district.
Hundreds of families were left homeless in what MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, described as a drive to rid Metro Manila of "eyesores".
No one was reported injured but the residents protested against the demolition operation. They said the agency did not inform them that their houses would be torn down.
The drive by Fernando had been ongoing over the past three years leaving many homeless.
De Lima said the forced evictions and demolitions should be stopped until the government can find a place for those displaced to put up their homes legally and without worrying that the MMDA can at any time demolish their dwellings.
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