DILG to probe 'squatting' syndicate on Agham Road

The government will investigate the "squatting syndicate" that allegedly funded the resistance plans of informal settlers along Agham Road in Quezon City whose houses were set to be demolished Monday.

In a statement, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez said Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has informed them of a syndicate that helped the protesting informal settlers set up a barricade against the police.

The resistance led to violence between the informal settlers and the anti-riot police sent to the area.

“May mga leader ng squatting syndicate d'yan na ayaw umalis at hinihimok pa 'yung iba na mag-stay kasi mawawala 'yung raket nila dyan," Bautista was quoted as saying in the statement.

Bautista said the syndicate helps informal settlers in resisting demolition efforts for a P1,000 fee from each family.

“Itong mga sindikato na ito ang nangangalap ng P1,000 bawat pamilya upang pondohan ang ibang tao para tulungan sila na i-block 'yung mga demolition teams ng pamahalaan," he said.

Bautista also said the syndicate funds the purchase of hollow blocks for the construction of informal houses. "May naglalakad din d'yan upang mabigyan sila ng kuryente at tubig na pinababayaran ng mga informal settler families buwan-buwan,” he said.

Fernandez, for his part, said they "will have to look into this and file charges if necessary,”

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it has relocated to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan province the 6,000 of the 10,000 families along Agham Road, although around 4,000 stayed.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, earlier said 6,426 housing units worth P3.2 billion "will be used in relocating informal settlers currently living in danger zones.

Binay said officials who allow the number of illegal settlers to balloon in their area may face administrative sanctions. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News