Centcom won't intervene in demolition

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command will not interfere in the looming demolition in Sitio San Miguel Barangay Apas wherein 168 families of active and retired soldiers stand to lose their houses soon.

Lt. Colonel Christopher Tampus, Centcom spokesperson, said they are not meddling in the demolition except only if requested by the police for security reasons.

"Of course we sympathize to our fellow soldiers and civilian who will be affected of the demolition but giawhag namo sila nga musubay sa balaud aron magmalinawon ang demolition," Tampus said.

The court has a standing demolition order against the residents of Sitio San Miguel but it is now being held in abeyance pending the resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed by the Cebu City Government.

The implementation of the writ is also affected by the voluntary inhibition of Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras.

Peras begs off from further hearing the case on the ground that he is living inside the military camp.

Tampus clarified that they have nothing to do with the decision of Peras. He admitted that the judge is living inside the military camp but they are not pressuring him to take side with the soldiers affected by the impending demolition.

Peras enjoys the privilege of living inside the military camp because he is an army reservist with a rank of lieutenant colonel.

Following his inhibition, Peras has ordered to remand the records of the case to the office of the clerk of court for re-raffling.

Although his inhibition is still subject to the approval of the executive judge.

The case involves a 4.6-hectare property claimed by a certain Mariano Godinez. (FREEMAN)