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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'Maawa kayo, tao kami, hindi hayop': Tondo residents protest demolition, fight for their homes

'Maawa kayo, tao kami, hindi hayop': Tondo residents protest demolition, fight for their homes

Published May 26, 2025 10:18 am  |  Updated May 26, 2025 04:37 pm

At A Glance

  • The demolition is expected to affect more than 1,000 individuals in Mayhaligue neighborhood. 
Hundreds of residents in Barangays 262 and 264 in Tondo, Manila staged a protest on Monday, May 26, against the scheduled demolition that threatens to displace over 400 families.
Residents of Barangays 262 and 264 in Tondo, Manila, blocked the entrance gate on Monday, May 26, to stop demolition teams and police from entering. The Mayhaligue Neighborhood Association said the demolition could displace over 400 families and affect more than 1,000 people. (John Louie Abrina)
Residents of Barangays 262 and 264 in Tondo, Manila, blocked the entrance gate on Monday, May 26, to stop demolition teams and police from entering. The Mayhaligue Neighborhood Association said the demolition could displace over 400 families and affect more than 1,000 people. (John Louie Abrina)
Residents of Barangays 262 and 264 in Tondo, Manila, blocked the entrance gate on Monday, May 26, to stop demolition teams and police from entering. The Mayhaligue Neighborhood Association said the demolition could displace over 400 families and affect more than 1,000 people. (John Louie Abrina)
Residents of Barangays 262 and 264 in Tondo, Manila, blocked the entrance gate on Monday, May 26, to stop demolition teams and police from entering. The Mayhaligue Neighborhood Association said the demolition could displace over 400 families and affect more than 1,000 people. (John Louie Abrina)
The demolition is expected to affect more than 1,000 individuals in Mayhaligue neighborhood. 
Despite a previously dismissed court case, the demolition is reportedly set to proceed, prompting residents to take urgent action.
They blocked access points and closed gates to prevent the entry of the demolition team and police officers.
Chants of protest echoed through the streets as residents held placards and pleaded for compassion and justice.
“Maawa kayo, tao kami, hindi hayop! (Have mercy, we are human beings, not animals!),” one resident shouted.
Community leaders denounced the demolition as illegal, citing a dismissed case that, they argue, should have invalidated the operation.
“Itigil ang illegal na demolisyon! Ang kaso ay dismissed na noong Mayo 2023! (Stop the illegal demolition! The case was already dismissed in May 2023!),” read one of the protest banners.
Residents also wrote their appeals on placards and banners.
“Panawagan namin ay dinggin, ILEGAL na demolisyon ITIGIL! (Hear our call—STOP the ILLEGAL demolition!),” one of the slogans read.
Many families expressed deep concern over the absence of relocation plans, fearing they would be left without shelter.
“Proteksyon, hindi pagsuko, ang kailangan namin! (We need protection, not surrender!),” another message stated.
The demolition was temporarily halted as a “humanitarian consideration” due to the bad weather.
At around 11 a.m., personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) used water hoses on residents who had formed barricades, following a brief de-escalation and partial retreat by the demolition team.
Authorities fire water cannons to disperse residents blocking their way to the demolition site in Barangays 262 and 264, Tondo, Manila.(John Louie Abrina)
Authorities fire water cannons to disperse residents blocking their way to the demolition site in Barangays 262 and 264, Tondo, Manila.(John Louie Abrina)
Meanwhile, Manila City Vice Mayor Yul Servo personally appealed to the sheriff of the demolition team to consider the residents' plea to postpone the operation.
“Sir, baka pwedeng mapakiusapan lang na mabigyan lang yung mga tao na—meron lang silang hinihintay na dokumento para mapagbigyan muna sila sa ano (Sir, maybe we could ask for some consideration—the people are just waiting for a document, so perhaps they could be granted a bit more time),” he said.
The demolition team left the area after Servo personally appealed to the sheriff to consider the residents' plea to postpone the operation.

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