At least 26 fisherfolk families were evicted in the demolition of Sityo Kabilang Ilog, Barangay Capunitan, Orion, Bataan on August 12. The community, which faces Manila Bay, is still recovering from the effects of the oil spill and the recent typhoon Carina and rain caused by the south monsoon.

The local government used the implementation of the Supreme Court Mandamus to clean Manila Bay as a pretext for the demolition. However, residents are well aware that they are being evicted to make way for the planned construction of businesses in the area.

In 2023, Erigon Marketing and Development Corp sent eviction notices to Sitio Kabilang Ilog residents to make way for its commercial operations in the community. Evictions and demolitions began on July 7, 2023. Some residents were forced to agree and leave while others stood up for their right to housing.

The residents said that the “cleaning up of Manila Bay” is clearly just an excuse to evict them since corporations continue to operate along the Bataan coastline. There are still widespread reports of reclamation, quarrying and disposal of waste and contaminated water into the seas.

“They are removing us to make way for the establishment of businesses, to reclaim the sea, and make way for corporations which not only pollute [and] destroy the seas but also violates our rights as fisherfolk,” Melody Empeño, from the Capunitan Fisherfolks Association, said. “The corporation first tried evicting us, but we didn’t leave, now [the local government] is demolishing us…for whom is the government?” she asked.

The demolition gravely disrupted their livelihoods, on top of the fishing ban in some parts of Bataan due to the oil spill. They have not been provided an alternative source of income. At least 50,000 fisherfolk are affected in Cavite, Bataan, and the National Capital Region.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) earlier denounced the Marcos administration’s lack of adequate response to the damage caused by the oil spill, especially to fish production. “Fisherfolk can’t fish, while the fish caught even outside the oil spill’s scope are being severely undervalued,” Ronnel Arambulo, vice chairperson of Pamalakaya, said.