A court-ordered demolition pushed through on Friday at Arroyo Compound in Barangay 74-A, Matina Crossing, with more than 500 families still in the area as clearing operations began.
The demolition caused heavy traffic along MacArthur Highway, Matina Crossing since Thursday evening as residents crossed the highway while transporting their belongings.
Families were seen hauling their possessions out of the compound, while some voluntarily dismantled their homes ahead of the demolition teams’ arrival.
Barangay Captain Joel Santes said many residents chose to evacuate and conduct self-demolition to salvage materials and ensure their safety.
“Voluntaryo ang mga tao nga nag evacuate ug hawa sa area sibing self-demolition na. Seguro ipaabot na lang sa demolition team nga katong wala nag demolish ayha pa sila mupasok sa area. Peaceful ang demolition kay walay samok. Akong gipasabot much better na safety ang mga bata, mga seniors, pamilya at belongings para mapuslan pa,” Santes told the media.
He added that residents had been informed about the court order and the demolition schedule.
“Ato gipasabot nga naa na’y court order. Naay gihimo na conference on February 23 ug karon ang demolition, tulo lang ka adlaw unya ang final na schedule is yung Notice of Schedule ay gahapon (Thursday) nadawat. Ang order sa court man gud anytime. Pero naka advance nako ug sulti kay atong Feb. 23 naa nay order. Feb. 26 na receive nako ang information na karon (Friday) mao na nahitabo karon,” he said.
Santes noted that relocation had previously been offered, but some residents declined.
“Karon kay nahitabo naman so ang mahatag sa gobyerno ay temprorary shelter na sa Los Amigos,” he added.
Amid the demolition, several residents insisted they hold legal land titles to the property and appealed for an extension, arguing that dismantling homes on short notice is not easy.
“Tulo ang titulo namo apan kini among i-fight. Ang mabilin na lang kani na lang na property bahala’g didto dili na lang. Ongoing ang among TRO, please muhangyo lang gyud mi kay dili ingon ani kadali i-dismantle ang property,” some residents said.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) confirmed that the Talomo Police Station is among the affected structures, as it stands within Barangay 74-A, Matina Crossing.
Acting City Director Col. Mannan Muarip said authorities are searching for a new site for the station within the Talomo area.
“Hinahanapan pa natin at alam ko meron din lugar na mapaglalagyan,” Muarip said.
Ariel Marañon, representative of the Lui family, in an interview with the media said relocation has been offered to Arroyo Compound settlers since 2019. Around 1,500 families have accepted the offer and transferred to relocation sites in Tacunan, Dacudao in Calinan, and Talomo River in Calinan.
More than 500 families remain in Arroyo Compound and are now subject to the demolition.
Aside from relocation, the Lui family provided cash assistance to those who availed of the offer. Each family was also given an 80-square-meter lot on which to build their homes.
Authorities remained on-site to ensure the demolition proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner.
