MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte on Labor Day said he sympathizes with members of urban poor group Kadamay, saying he understands their plight.
"Wala akong sama ng loob sa inyo. I know how it is to be..." he said, adding that he does not want fighting between Filipinos.
Duterte made the comment during the Labor Day Assembly in Davao City.
Last month, Duterte allowed members of Kadamay to have the homes they occupied in Bulacan but warned them not to do it again.
Kadamay members said they occupied houses that were intended for National Housing Authority beneficiaries to compel government to address housing problems in the country.
Duterte blasts 'oligarchs' anew
In the same speech, Duterte also warned "oligarchs" who do not pay proper taxes that he will distribute their lands to others.
Duterte said within the next 3 months, he would ask Filipinos to occupy lands of oligarchs in areas such as Makati and Pasay.
"I will ask the Filipino people to occupy the lands in your hands...I will ask the Filipino people to get it from you and occupy your own land," he said.
He claimed that these "oligarchs" have enriched themselves at the expense of other Filipinos.
"Sumobra na kayo eh sa totoo lang. You have enriched your families for generations tapos at the expense of the Filipino," Duterte said.