On Informal Settlers and Resistance

Informal settlers AKA "squatters" have been a longtime issue here in the Philippines. They are mostly people from the province who came to the metro in search of a "better life." They think Manila is this one pot of gold at the end of the rainbow where they can find jobs, earn a decent, if not better, amount of money and fulfill their dreams. But most of the time, that's not what happens.

Recently, there was another demolition in Makati, specifically in Guatemala Street. And just like every other informal settlements demolition that happens in Manila, it was violent. Around 8 were arrested and are now facing assault charges.

 
Image from inquirer.net.

My question is, are they really entitled to do this? I mean occupying others' property and claiming it as your own? It might look valiant and brave but really, this for me is barbaric and arrogant. Then they blame the government for not providing for them and not solving poverty. They have been given a deadline. They have been given relocation sites. But still they complain about it being too far and not having any source of livelihood. They chose to fight back with stones, rocks, bottles and basically anything that can be thrown. Resist, counter and destroy.

I watched a documentary a few years back. One of the reasons why they go to Manila is to search for a "better life." Yes, life is hard in the province. I remember me and my brothers had to chop wood, fetch water, cut the grasses growing in the backyard, dry dozens of sack of rice under the sun and at times when we don't have anything to eat, we hunt for frogs. There is always a source, something that can provide what you need. We're not talking about tribes and villages in very remote areas of course. That is an entirely different discussion. What I'm saying is that we just need to be more patient. Use whatever resources you have. Take pride in what you do and always do your best. It's just that some of use wants an easy way out. I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation and he was with this welder. He doesn't have much but he loves what he does. He's proud of it. I thought and hoped that we should be like that guy, content and happy. We should dream and dream big, yes. But as with the case like these informal settlers, risking it in hopes that Manila will give them a better life seems not worth it.

I can understand that when you have close to nothing, you become desperate. You try to hang on to that something that gives you strength and hope. You try to fight for it if it's being taken away from you. But using violence to fight for something that is not yours is wrong. It's not correct in the first place. It will never be correct.