Forced Eviction by Another Name: Neoliberal Urban Development in Manila

Abstract

Jun (not his real name) sits in a makeshift booth at one of the entrances to San Roque (see Figure 1), an informal settlement in Metro Manila’s North Triangle district. In the blue uniform of the private security guards, he and his colleagues are mixed amongst the pedicabs, street vendors and a vibrant street market that extends deep into the settlement. Jun is part of a large team who guard the settlement 24 hours every day with two very specific tasks: to prevent any construction materials from ever entering the site and to stop residents from engaging in any construction activity or repairs. Small informal lookout towers have been constructed for guards to gain an overview of the settlement from its edges.