Tensions rise amid Tondo compound demolition

A scheduled demolition of homes in a compound in Mayhaligue, Tondo, Manila, was met with strong resistance from residents Monday, leading to a tense standoff that was eventually halted by heavy rain and an agreement for dialogue.

Residents of Barangay 262 barricaded the compound gate with metal chains to prevent a demolition team and police from entering. Some threw plastic bags and items emitting smoke at authorities.

Sheriff Reymundo Rojas of the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 24 initially ordered a halt to the demolition due to a sudden downpour, citing humanitarian reasons. He clarified, however, that the demolition would proceed once the rain stopped, as no temporary restraining order (TRO) had been received by the court.

Authorities stated they had offered P38,000 to each family who would voluntarily vacate the property. However, residents expressed concerns about having nowhere to relocate and claimed they did not receive adequate prior notice of the demolition, despite the final court order being issued in February 2025 following a four-year legal battle that began in 2024. The property is owned by Titan Realty Corporation.

Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo and three Manila city councilors — Second District Councilors Awi Sia, Edward Tan and Uno Lim — arrived at the scene and appealed to the sheriff for a postponement of the demolition, which affects over 200 houses.

Roxas told DAILY TRIBUNE that the demolition was initially scheduled for October 2024 but was postponed until February 2025. He said that during a meeting at the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor, around 300 families, an increase from the original 200-plus, agreed to receive P38,700 each from Titan Realty.

Despite the February deadline, residents requested another extension, citing the ongoing school season and the recently concluded election period. They were notified of the 26 May demolition date but defied the order by padlocking the gate.

Tensions escalated when the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection aimed pressurized water hoses at residents blocking the entrance, who responded by throwing stones and plastic containers filled with gasoline.

At approximately 12:35 p.m., the demolition was halted. Roxas, using a megaphone, ordered the demolition crew to stop, and police and demolition personnel began to withdraw from the area.

According to a barangay kagawad in the area, residents were granted a one-week extension to allow them time to file a motion for a temporary restraining order from the court. Unnamed members of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection reportedly said they were ordered back to their headquarters, with plans for a dialogue to ensure the smooth implementation of the writ of execution and prevent further conflict.