Duterte's decision on housing units may set bad precedent –military official
Original article published at GMA News Online
Published April 5, 2017 7:13pm
President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to give the housing units intended for soldiers and policemen to members of urban poor group Kadamay who illegally occupied them may set a bad precedent, a military official said Wednesday.
In an interview, Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Duterte's move may encourage other groups to commit similar acts.
"The whole episode, as I was saying, is both good and bad. Good in the sense that the discourse on housing was opened up again, and that it's being expedited by agencies concerned," said Padilla.
"Bad in sense that it's setting a precedent that may signal a bad start for others who are interested to foment more similar activities which the police now is prepared to meet," he added.
On Tuesday, Duterte ordered soldiers and policemen to let the members of Kadamay have the housing units they occupied in Bulacan. He then promised to provide a better housing project for soldiers and policemen.
Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said they support Duterte's appeal and assured the public that they will "adhere" to it.
Padilla said the military has no problem with Duterte's decision, which he said averted possible violence.
The housing units in Bulacan are part of the 20,000 units—including 675 units in the Pandi, Bulacan—built by the previous Aquino administration for soldiers and policemen in various areas.
Padilla said 10,000 of these units were reserved for soldiers although he could not immediately say how many soldiers who availed of the housing program are actually occupying units.
Under the government's housing program, a soldier shall be given only one unit, which cost P175,000. Padilla said some soldiers requested for two units and are willing to pay for them. —KBK, GMA News
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