It was breaking news at Inquirer.net that there were 8 persons hurt during an attempt at demolition at a private lot in Quezon city, occupied illegally by some residents. Some of the residents of the shanties threw homemade pillboxes to the policemen who’re trying to remove them from their “residence”.
This is common occurrence; and what I also commonly hear whenever something like this comes up is that most people would tend to sympathize with the illegal residents. They are poor, they have nowhere to go, and the owners of those lands being occupied by these residents are just being greedy.
Pfffft.
I think most, if not all, who have thought of the above never had their land occupied by another, without consent. The fault with most people is that they think having lands other than the one where their homes stood is evil and greedy. Okay, maybe greedy. But could be an honest acquisition. It would still be unjust if “squatters” will be allowed to occupy that land, which does not belong to them, in the name of “compassion”. And the property owners be forced to have them relocated? Please.
It is silliness to remain thinking these people are the “helpless and innocent” ones. Just think, there were 20 improvised explosives, besides the pillboxes, that were found in these shanties during the demolition. Think of what these people are capable of. If only it were directed to a more productive way, these people could be contributing citizens of the society. But they choose not to.
I repeat, they have a CHOICE. Poverty is no excuse. There were a lot of those who have been poor but were able to rise above it, through honest means.
And so, I may do feel pity for those who have been removed from these illegal residences. However, I have to say, it’s only just and it is fair.
