Robredo told: Makati government has right to evict Laperal settlers

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government lashed out at Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday, saying it has the authority to declare the 2.6-hectare Laperal Compound in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo as a “danger zone” and order the eviction of illegal settlers in the compound.

Robredo earlier said if the owner of the property, Oliverio Laperal, wanted his property back, he should have secured an order from the court. Robredo said the Makati City government does not have the authority to clear the property.

However, spokesman Joey Salgado said the city government has the mandate to clear the Laperal Compound following last week’s fire that gutted 900 shanties in the compound.

Salgado also corrected Robredo, saying the city government did not conduct a demolition.

“The operation at Laperal Compound was not a demolition. We were enforcing an order declaring the area a danger zone. There was nothing to demolish because the area had been hit by a fire and almost all shanties were destroyed,” he said.

“Laperal Compound is no longer safe. Because of the fire, the two large billboards are in danger of collapsing. The area has also been hit by a series of fires. It is no longer a safe place,” Salgado added.

According to Salgado, the city government decided to push through with clearing the compound after several residents forced their way into the danger zone and refused to leave.

“The city government was compelled to enforce the declaration to avoid undue injury. The declaration of a danger zone is lawful. The city government is empowered to issue such declarations in the interest of public safety,” he said. “Even assuming that it was a demolition, the law allows it in areas deemed hazard areas.”

Salgado also stressed that prior to the clearing operations on Wednesday and Thursday, which ended in violent clashes between residents and the police, the city government held several dialogues with leaders of the compound.

“Contrary to the claims of some sectors, dialogues were held with the leaders of the informal settlers. Last Thursday, the mayor even directed the barangay chairman to hold a last-minute talk with the leaders to request them to voluntarily clear the area. The request was not heeded,” he said.

Salgado said that as of yesterday, residents have been barred from re-entering the fire-razed compound. He added that the owner of the property will also deploy private security guards to secure the compound.

According to Salgado, residents of the compound who will choose to be relocated to Calauan, Laguna, will be temporarily housed in a holding area. He added that the city government will also construct a school at the Calauan relocation site for the children of compound residents who opted for relocation.