An estimated 1,200 to 2,000 residents were displaced after around 500 homes were demolished in Arroyo Compound in Matina Crossing, Davao City, on February 27, 2026, drawing protests from residents for the lack of a prior notice despite holding land titles they have occupied since the 1980s.
Tied to DARAB Case No. XI-1973-DC-2007, the clearing was carried out to implement a May 2025 Supreme Court Resolution that reinstated a 2015 Writ of Possession in favor of the Lui family.
Aside from the Arroyo Compound, neighboring areas along Guarisa Street and Guadalupe Village outside were also affected in the Court-ordered demolition.
Matina Crossing resident Dodong* said that their two buildings along Guarisa Street, which were no longer part of the compound, were also demolished without prior notice.
“As far as we know, the writ of demolition was only provided to the Local Barangay Unit about a week before the scheduled demolition; however, no formal notice was given to us as occupants of Guarisa,” he said.
He further recounted that residents only became aware of the demolition when clearing operations had already begun near their area, leaving them uninformed and unprepared for the sudden displacement.
“We only became aware of the situation on February 27, when demolition attempts were made on several houses near the Arroyo Compound, and there were no prior announcements, no dialogue, and no notice informing us of any hearings,” he added.
Ownership of their home in the nearby Guadalupe Village, for which Dodong* said they hold a Free Patent title, is also being claimed.
“One of our properties has a valid land title, specifically a “There are also families who declined the offer mainly because the relocation sites are too far and not easily accessible to schools, workplaces, and other basic services, and we also heard that some areas still lack essential utilities such as electricFree Patent title, and given this, we are still questioning why our titled property was affected,” he stated.
A free patent title, according to Republic Act No. 10023, is an original certificate of title (OCT) granted by the government to a Filipino citizen who has occupied a residential land for at least 10 years.
Relocation sites in Dacudao, Tacunan, and Talomo River have been offered to the residents since 2019, where 80-square-meter lots and a P20,000 cash assistance were extended to families who accepted the offer.
ity and water,” Dodong* explained.
He also stressed that relocation discussions did not include affected residents outside Arroyo Compound, such as in Guarisa Street, leaving them without clear options despite being affected by the demolition.
“Based on what we have heard, these relocation offers were given only to residents of the Arroyo Compound, and as occupants of Guarisa, we were not directly involved,” he stated.
Amid the displacement, Dodong* emphasized that the issue goes beyond relocation, pointing to the absence of a humane and structured transition process for affected families.
“The issue is not simply about relocation, but the lack of a proper and humane transition process, and in our case, we were not even informed that we would be affected, yet we were suddenly asked to vacate with… no clear explanation.”
He called on the local government to implement stronger intervention measures that ensure both immediate assistance and long-term protection for affected residents.
“The local government should intervene not only by providing short-term financial assistance but also by ensuring a structured and humane transition process, including proper communication, verification of affected properties especially those with valid titles, and ensuring that residents are given adequate time, support, and clarity before any demolition is carried out.”
Editor’s note: The name marked with asterisks is a pseudonym used at the request of the interviewee.