ON Monday, an attempt to enforce a court-ordered demolition of a neighborhood of informal settlers in Tondo, Manila, devolved into a clash between protesting residents and police. Fortunately, there were no reports of anyone being seriously injured or worse in the standoff, although several arrests were reported. Everyone concerned may not be so lucky the next time such an incident happens, and there will indeed be a next time, unless some comprehensive changes are made to the way the conflict between property rights and so-called “informal settlers” is managed.
The incident, which lasted several hours, was defused after it was agreed to give the inhabitants…