MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he will not tolerate families who trooped to Pandi, Bulacan and occupied idle government housing units without the permission of authorities.

Around 4,000 people, led by urban poor group Kadamay, broke into government housing projects in Pandi and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan to protest the government’s supposed neglect of their shelter needs.

Speaking at a news conference in Malacañang, Duterte warned that force may eventually have to be used to settle the deadlock between the occupying families and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“If you want to ignore the law, you cannot do that. I will the force the issue with eviction. Tutal, kung gusto man niyo, huwag mo lang akong ipalagay sa alanganin,” Duterte said.

Duterte added, the incident seems to put the government in an embarrassing position, which is why he will not think twice about using force to settle the issue even if it costs him his popularity.

He also assured the urban poor that the government has enough money to address their needs.

“There enough money now to go around. May pera ang gobyerno at sabi ko sa inyo,” he said.

“I can give some but not all, but you will have if you want. Idaan natin sa dayalogo. Huwag yang ganon kasi kapag ganoon, it’s anarchy... I will do what I have to do even if it pulls me down or it pulls me up. ”

The NHA has said it will soon issue eviction notices to the illegal settlers.