Shanty town residents clash with police
- 11 years ago
Residents of a shanty town in northern Manila in the Philippines clashed with police Monday over fears they would be evicted from their homes..
Around 300 residents and supporters built a barricade in front of their dwellings in Quezon City.
The protesters threw rocks, bottles and garbage at police, injuring three officers, officials said.
Many illegal settlers being evicted from their homes have refused to leave because relocation sites offered by the government are in remote suburbs, where they say livelihood opportunities are scarce.
Around 35 percent of Manila's 11.5 million population are informal settlers, occupying empty government and private lots, and local officials struggle to evict them as they are a rich source of votes.
Around 300 residents and supporters built a barricade in front of their dwellings in Quezon City.
The protesters threw rocks, bottles and garbage at police, injuring three officers, officials said.
Many illegal settlers being evicted from their homes have refused to leave because relocation sites offered by the government are in remote suburbs, where they say livelihood opportunities are scarce.
Around 35 percent of Manila's 11.5 million population are informal settlers, occupying empty government and private lots, and local officials struggle to evict them as they are a rich source of votes.