Residents of Purok 6B Riverside, Barangay Bambang, Los Baños, Laguna protested at the Los Baños Municipal Hall on the morning of March 30 to condemn the looming demolition in their community. National democratic organizations led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan–Southern Tagalog joined the action.

Residents received a Notice of Demolition on March 11 from Regional Trial Court Branch 35. They were given 20 days to vacate the community. Purok 6B Homeowners Association board member Elena Durana said the order is illegal because the affected residents were not consulted before the decision and were not given a relocation plan. The law also states that the period for eviction should not be less than 30 days—contrary to the court’s order.

Residents have lived in Purok 6B for six decades. Under Proclamation No. 550 issued in 2004 recognizes their right to the land they occupy. A private party expressed intent to build a resort in their area in 2016. These “visitors” claimed ownership of the land title for the lots where the residents live. In response, the homeowners’ officers immediately began processing their land titles. They later discovered that titling was impossible because the area is covered by Proclamation No. 550 or government owned.

Despite this, their land was turned over to private interests—from Jesus Casus to Bambang Land Corporation. The land grabber plans to convert the area into a subdivision or a tourist spot.

Residents are demanding a stop to the demolition, a public consultation with the Laguna Inter-Agency Council, an issuance of Certificates of Entitlement to all residents, financial aid for legal counsel, banning of Eric Cuevo and Bambang Land Corporation from entering the community, and recognition and registration of the Purok 6B Homeowners Association.