Province unfazed by threat to sue over CentCom transfer

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government is not threatened by the plan of Apas residents to bring to court the issue regarding the transfer of the CentCom headquarters to Lapu-Lapu City from barangay Apas. 

Members of the Alliance of Barangay Apas Community Association earlier said they intend to ask the court to nullify the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the provincial government and Department of National Defense for the transfer.

 “We welcome it. If they will file a case against the province, we’ll face it, but hopefully, among pag-disagree dili moabot sa point nga tanan mo-disagree,” said Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda yesterday.

Sepulveda said the residents who are living inside the Capitol-owned property at Camp Lapu-Lapu in barangay Apas should also not forget that the province is the real owner of the lots where their houses are situated.

“But maski asa sila paingun, the fact that the province owns the property, the province should be consulted kay apil man sad ang probinsiya ug pangita og solusyon,” he said, adding, that the filing of a case might affect the ongoing negotiations negatively.

A meeting between the province and the affected residents is set on November 5.

Sepulveda said it is possible that there are individuals who are members of Abaca that are prodding the 1200 bonafide members to push through with a case.

As regards the politicians who have declared willingness to help the plight of the Abaca members, Sepulveda said they are “only good with their words,” as nothing has been done, so far, to help provide solutions.

“Why are they so generous with other people’s property? Wa man gani silay solusyon,” he said.

Sepulveda said that before making any move, the Apas settlers should remember that the province gave them the opportunity to own a house through socialized housing despite the fact that they did not ask any permission to build their houses on the province’s property. — Liv G. Campo/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)