Capitol demolishes illegal structures

CEBU, Philippines - Houses illegally constructed near Central Command Compound in Barangay Apas were demolished yesterday by the Cebu Provincial Real Properties Protection Task Force with the help of officials of barangay Apas.

In a memorandum, the task force headed by Provincial Treasurer Roy G. Salubre ordered a summary demolition of new structures illegally constructed by certain persons and even structures with unknown owners on provincial lot 1179.

Salubre said these structures were constructed by unscrupulous persons without proper permission from the Cebu Provincial Government.

At 10 a.m. yesterday, the demolition team composed of personnel from the Capitol’s Civil Security Unit, the Provincial Legal Office and other departments proceeded to sitio Upper Panabang of Apas and started tearing down structures near the grotto.

They tore down three unfinished structures.

Raul delos Santos, Legal Assistant II said that they have warned these people not to build structures there because the area is a province-owned lot.

The lot was donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command in 1959 under a usufruct agreement.

It was, however, no longer used for military purposes.

In 2009, the Department of National Defense and the Cebu Provincial Government signed a memorandum of agreement reverting the property to the province.

Delos Santos said the lot is being guarded by the province against illegal settlers since the MOA was signed.

Federation of Barangay Apas Residents Associations Inc. (FBARAI) is now negotiating with the Cebu Provincial Government to occupy 15.7 hectares of the property for a housing project.

Apas Captain Ramil Ayuman said that while they are negotiating with the province for this lot, these outsiders started building their structures without permission from Capitol.

“They very well know that this is a provincial lot, therefore, they are builders in bad faith. Angay ra gyud gub-on ang mga structures,” Ayuman said.

He said it is sad to note that some of these illegal builders are actively serving the AFP while some are retired army receiving pension and can afford to buy a house.

Minutes before 12 noon, at least two soldiers clad in their army uniforms showed up in the area.

One of them was Jose Magallanes who told Ayuman that they cannot proceed with the demolition because there is no court order.

He said province is “taking a risk” in implementing a demolition without a court order.

“Diha ra mo kutob Kap kay kung mupadayon mo, risgo na na sa probinsya,” he said.

The other AFP personnel refused to give his name and denied he owns one of the houses built in the area.

“Gipadala rako diri ma’am aron mutan-aw sa sitwasyon,” he said.

Delos Santos said they requested a police escort from the Cebu Provincial Police Office for the two-day demolition, but they were not provided.

Delos Santos said they asked for escort taking into consideration that some of the structures that they are going to demolish were built by military personnel.

The demolition will resume today.

The province’s memorandum ordered the summary demolition of the illegal structures constructed by Romula Romblon, Winefreda Hayag, Rosell Ouano, Marivic Montefalcon, Jefferson Omandam, Jose Enolba, Colonel Baclayon, Joel Cojardo, Colonel Irene Balucan, Leticia Romero and Josephine Guirhem.

Houses illegally constructed but are presently occupied will not be demolished, but the owners will be sued in court. – (FREEMAN)