MANILA - Some members of urban poor group Kadamay on Saturday said they have decided to "break away," alleging extortion against the organization whose members had illegally occupied state housing units near Metro Manila.

"Hindi na namin gusto ang pamamalakad ng lider ng mga Kadamay kaya kami tumiwalag na sa kanila!” said Jeffrey Aries, one of the 300 Kadamay members who occupied housing units in Pandi, Bulacan last year.

(We don't like how the leader of Kadamay is running the organization that's why we left.)

• Duterte lets Kadamay have Bulacan homes

Aries said some Kadamay leaders have been charging each member some P300 for every rally the group will stage.

"Kapag may gagawing rally, mag-iikot na 'yan sa mga unit at maniningil na at kung hindi ka magbabayad, babantaan ka na paaalisin ka sa unit mo," said Vilma Dela Cruz, another member who left the group.

(When there's a rally, they will go around housing units and collect and if you don't pay, they will threaten to evict you from your unit.)

Some occupants of the Pandi housing project said some Kadamay members sold the units they illegally occupied to other indigents looking for affordable homes.

"Sa kagustuhan naming magkabahay, sumugal kaming bumili dito," said alias "Ligaya," who allegedly bought her house from a Kadamay member for P45,000.

On Saturday, Kadamay leaders also stormed the community in Pandi to confront members who broke away from the group.

Kadamay leader Pat Tupas denied allegations that the group had been extorting from its members to fund their rallies.

The organization said it respects the decision of some of its members to quit, Tupas said.

Earlier this week, Kadamay members attempted to take over state housing units in Rizal, drawing criticism from President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials.

• Duterte hits Kadamay for housing takeover try, warns of violent dispersal
• 'Anarchy': Ejercito hits Kadamay for attempt to take over Rizal housing units

-- with a report from Abner Mercado, ABS-CBN News