Complete injustice.
This was how Meredith Bobadilla described the ongoing intimidation and harassment by the Philippine Navy on March 5 in their community at SPD Butas in Western Bicutan, Taguig City.
Around 50 armed Navy officers forcibly entered a vacant lot in the community attempting to remove a fence built by the residents. The residents said they built the fence to resist the Navy’s plan to construct barracks in their community.
Just last year, the SPD Butas community also faced demolition and eviction threats.
Hindi kami ang kalaban ninyo
In Taguig City, several housing areas were allocated for police, military personnel, and reservists or their families. Most of these are near Fort Bonifacio and Bicutan which were once military reservations that were later set aside for off-base housing.
According to the residents, SPD Butas was originally part of the housing area for reservists but remained vacant for many years.
For almost four decades, about 2,500 residents or nearly 500 families have resided in the community.
“Pwede po natin itong pag-usapan ng maayos pero hindi po iyon ang inyong ginawa. This is not what the government should do,” said Bobadilla.
Due to the Navy’s repeated intrusions, the community installed a bell at the entrance to warn residents whenever the Navy took action. Each time it rings, residents would come out to monitor, defend, and alert others. Just last night, the bell was rung ten times from morning onward.
Residents also maintain a watch system at the entrance, fearing that if no one is guarding the area, the Navy might start building structures.
A Facebook video posted in October 2025 showed several residents being locked out and denied access to the community. The same harassment occurred last week, according to residents.
“Ako nag-live kanina para ipakita kung ano ang nangyayari. Bigla na lamang itinulak ng isang opisyal ang isang sibilyan kaya nagkaroon ng kaguluhan. Hindi naman tama na magtulakan o manakit ng sibilyan dahil dapat ay mapayapang pinag-uusapan ito,” Bobadilla added.
At the height of the confrontation, residents trying to prevent the removal of barricades were struck with shields. Around 11 PM, a fire truck arrived in an attempt to disperse the residents who were forming ranks. Several women, elderly residents, and children were injured.
“We asked them if they have rights, if they have any legal document para maging maayos yung usapan. Kasi if they have, pwede silang magtayo diyan ng something na gusto nila itayo, but they don’t have,’” Bobadilla lamented.
In 2011, the Navy filed an injunction over the disputed land which was dismissed in 2024. In March 2024, residents also received a demand letter from the Navy asserting ownership of the land.
Meanwhile, the Navy built a new gate at SPD Butas and replaced the sign with “Jose Naval Station”. The Navy claims the land as part of “Bonifacio Naval Station Lot 1,” despite the court’s denial of its injunction.
Residents noted that the Navy had not had any actual facilities in SPD Butas for a long time. Only now are they pushing to build structures, including barracks.
They further attempted to file a complaint at the barangay office but were told the matter was outside its jurisdiction.
Bobadilla urged Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano to take action on the ongoing intimidation and harassment in SPD Butas.
“They are supposed to serve the people and hindi kami ang kalaban ninyo,” Bobadilla stressed. “Sa aming mayor na si Lani Cayetano, please po, send help kasi ito po ang nangyayari sa mga taga-Taguig. Ito po ang ginagawa nila sa amin.”
