The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay, or Alliance of Concerned Urban Poor) strongly condemned the demolition of the homes of urban poor residents in Arroyo Compound, Golden Valley, Matina Crossing, Davao City. Around 600 families lost their homes in this demolition.

Residents reportedly woke up in the early morning of February 27 to the noise of bulldozers and backhoes entering their community. The demolition started around 9 a.m. and continued into the afternoon. Many residents were forced to self-demolish to salvage building materials. They desperately gathered their belongings on the other side of Matina Crossing amid the violent demolition.

Residents said barangay officials informed them on February 24 that they could only stay in the area until February 26. This came despite the Davao City local government’s lack of any clear relocation plan. The company claiming the land did not offer compensation for the houses it planned to destroy.

Many of the residents had lived in the compound since the 1980s, and several held land titles. Despite this, the court favored the claim of a businessman who is now driving them out of their homes.