The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) deplored the violent evictions being enforced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) against informal settlers and sidewalk vendors.
CHR Chairwoman Leila de Lima said forced evictions and destruction of goods being sold by informal settlers and sidewalk vendors are also human rights violations.
De Lima also said carting away the vendors goods may be tantamount to robbery.
"May mga nagreklamo po sa amin na kinuha ang kanilang kagamitan. That's already robbery and that is a grave violation [of rights]," she said.
De Lima said the MMDA should help illegal settlers find legal areas to be occupied instead of just forcing them out.
"Nagiging very high handed ang MMDA.. authoritarian ang approach, and that is not good. Kelangan tulungan sila (illegal settlers), hindi ‘yung ganyan ang pagtatrato. It has become really alarming," she said.
De Lima added that a complaint against the MMDA has already been lodged in her office. However, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando has failed to attend the hearings.
She warns that the MMDA may be cited for contempt if it fails to appear before the rights body.
Fernando, however, defended the MMDA's approach in evicting illegal vendors.
"Ang regulasyon namin talagang to destroy the goods in front of the owners. Para wala silang masabi na pinagiinteresan [ang kanilang kalakal]," said Fernando.
He also said that his men are just doing what they were trained to do.
"Ang aming mga tao passed through rigorous training. Basta kami hindi namin sila tinuruan ng masama," said Fernando. -- ABS-CBN News