MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to order the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the police against urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) if they continue their bid to take over government housing units.

“I will give you until noon tomorrow. Umalis kayo (You get out) and I will order the SAF to go in,” said an incensed Duterte on Thursday, June 14, during the oath-taking of Calabarzon barangay captains.

His remark was prompted by the trooping of hundreds of members of the Montalban Homeless Association, a Kadamay local chapter, to a National Housing Authority (NHA) project in Rodriguez, Rizal on Wednesday, June 13.

However, local police and local government personnel were reportedly able stop the Kadamay members from occupying the units.

Duterte said it’s Kadamay’s problem if its members end up dead due to actions of the SAF to keep them from occupying the housing units.

“I gave a warning. I told the police, take it back. If you want a fight, I told the police to give you a fight. If needed, you kill to implement what is legal…. I don’t care,” he said in Filipino.

“Pagka lumaban kayo at namatay kayo, problema ninyo ‘yan. Wala ako (If you fight and you die, that’s not my problem),” added Duterte.

The President also warned the Left-leaning Kadamay from “fucking” with him and expressed outrage that they dare demand government housing when they “burn” and “urinate” on his image at rallies.

“Sunugin ‘nyo mukha, ihian ‘nyo pa mukha ko, tapos maghingi ka ng tulong. Maghiga ka muna sa daan, ihian ko lahat ng mukha ‘nyo,” he said.

(You burn my face, urinate on it, then you ask for help. You lie down on the road first so I can urinate on all your faces.)

In April last year, Duterte had given in to Kadamay members when they occupied Bulacan housing intended for police and soldiers.

The President had appealed for the patience of the uniformed personnel, vowing to provide better housing for them. – Rappler.com