Sheriff awaits police assistance to start Brgy Luz demolition

CEBU, Philippines - Court sheriff Joseph Olmedo is just waiting for the approval of his request for police assistance to implement the demolition order against the 32 households in Barangay Luz.

Olmedo said as soon as the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) approves his request for 20 to 30 policemen to assist him in the service of the order from the court, the demolition of the subject houses in Sitios Lubi, Mabuhay and Nangka will be done immediately.

Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas earlier issued the demolition order and directed the sheriff to render a comprehensive report on the implementation of the order within 10 days.

The homeowners association in the three sitios sought for the eviction of the 32 families after they refused to pay for the monthly amortization of the lot they occupy.

The Sitio Nangka Homeowners Association Inc., Sitio Mabuhay Homeowners Association Inc. and Sitio Lubi Homeowners Association bought the property from the Cebu Provincial Government under the Ordinance 93-1.

The provincial government issued the certificate of titles to the homeowners excluding the 32 families. The homeowners then move for the eviction of the 32 households. Thus, a demolition order was issued by the court.

The affected families filed a civil case for injunction against the three homeowners associations and the province of Cebu seeking for the annulment of the contract and the certificate of titles. The case was eventually dismissed.

Olmedo said he has already conducted an ocular inspection in the areas subject of the impending demolition and found out that the affected families have refused to voluntarily vacate their houses.

The court earlier gave them until May 15 to voluntarily vacate the area. — (FREEMAN)