Residents of Dalat/Purok 47, San Roque, Bangkal sustained continuous harassment and demolition attacks despite securing legal victory in the case over their land rights in 2013. 

At around 2 AM today, the community was reportedly attacked by a demolition team that resulted in the destruction of homes and loss of personal belongings, such as laptops and mobile phones.

Davao Today reported that police officers arrived an hour later and arrested members of the demolition team, but there have been no updates on whether the stolen items have been recovered.

Last January 15, residents, alongside the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) – Davao,  staged a protest to condemn and resist the ongoing demolition in their community.

“Sa una pa, daog nami sa kaso. Nagpuyo mi ning yuta 30 years, way gipakita nga dokumento. Kung ilaha pa ning titulo, dugay nami nanghawa,” said Noning Cepe, a resident who recounted decades of living in the area and raising his family there.

Residents were reportedly offered ₱10,000 to relocate or ₱50,000 if they opted not to avail of relocation. However, many rejected the offer, citing insufficient support and the community’s distance from essential services.

Cepe, who visited the relocation site in Tugbok where his mother moved, revealed that basic utilities such as water and electricity remain inaccessible, making the area unlivable. 

Contrary to reports alleging that residents initiated a commotion when their area was fenced off on January 7, 2025, Cepe denied the accusations.

“Ngano kami man ang mag-una-una og pabuto ng wala man mi mga baril?” Cepe questioned, adding that several residents were harassed and injured during the incident. 

Cepe claimed that one of the homes was ransacked, with personal belongings stolen.

Furthermore, the situation has taken a toll on children in the community, who have reportedly become fearful of policemen.

“Wala nay skwela-skwela, duha na ka simana kay gipa-safety pud lagi ang mga bata. Naghinilakay na baya ang mga bata kay mura pug na-trauma ang mga bata,” one of the residents in the area, Amay Maymanan said.

Maymanan further told Atenews that she collapsed and was hospitalized after their home was raided earlier this month. Since July 2024, residents have reportedly been unable to sleep soundly due to unannounced demolitions.

“Naa toy adlawa, naabtan nag ala-una nagsige pag ginubaay. Ang amua, naa may adlaw, ngano gabii man?”

Her husband, Nonoy Maymanan, has stopped working for the past two months to guard their house, fearing it may be demolished while they are away.

According to Altermidya, residents claimed that the demolition order came from Atty. Eliseo Braganza, representing a private corporation, allegedly seeking to take ownership of the land.

The community asserts that they won the legal case regarding the land in 2013 and is calling on the local government unit (LGU) to intervene and halt the demolition.

Further updates on the situation are expected as residents, legal representatives, and local authorities continue to address the ongoing conflict.