WHEN the Kadamay organization of the urban poor tried to take over the houses intended for the police and military in Rodriguez, Rizal, it was the masses themselves who said, "Sumosobra na sila."
Thus, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte ranted against the group's latest shenanigan, ordinary people who are not inclined toward any leftist agenda were cheering -- rich and poor alike.
“Ito Kadamay ngayon. Eh bagong bahay ng mga sundalo, ninak... Kaya sabi ko, ako nagwa-warning ha. Sabi ko sa pulis, ‘kunin ninyo ulit.’ Kung gusto ninyo ng away, sabihin ko sa pulis bigyan mo ng away,” President Duterte said during the oathtaking rites of more than 4,000 newly elected barangay captains in Calabarzon here in Sta. Rosa on Thursday, June 14.
In a statement, Kadamay said the Montalban Homeless Alliance (MHA), whose local chapter is a member of Kadamay, led the takeover calling it “Bantayang Bahay Para sa Karapatan at Katiyakan sa Paninirahan” in the La Solidaridad-Avilon Zoo area. Around 700 allegedly entered the area. President Duterte is putting his foot down.
Last March 8, 2017, Kadamay led the occupation of around 5,000 still unfinished housing units in five relocation sites in Bulacan, threatening to occupy more idle government housing projects. While the President called this action anarchy, by April 4, 2017, he said that the Kadamay can have the units for as long as they do not oust the policemen and soldiers residing there. He even told the police and military beneficiaries to give up their claims and that he will just build better housing for them.
Kadamay was obviously jubilant over their victory, not knowing the President and his shrewd ways. He was like a fisherman giving a fish some slack. In giving some slack, a fish is made to feel that everything's okay and he will swim right out, only to be reeled in, by his mouth, as the Kadamay finds itself in right now.
People themselves are saying Kadamay has crossed the line and deserves what is coming. In any mass organization work, this is a situation that will be difficult to get out of. But then, every employee and wage-earner who has taken out a 20-year to 30-year housing loan knows what he/she is speaking of and never will they speak for Kadamay's action.
Check mate.