Cebu trader denies landgrab allegations

CEBU — Businessman Michel Lhuillier has denied accusations of landgrabbing, illegal quarrying and harassment in three northern towns of the province.

Sonia Pua and Fe Mondigo, Lhuillier’s representatives, recently visited the office of provincial board member Agnes Magpale to deny allegations of several residents in the municipalities of Borbon, Catmon and Carmen.

Pua and Mondigo said it was not true that Lhuillier took the properties of some farmers in Sitios Libas and San Vicente in Barangay Campusong and in Barangay Binggay, Borbon town.

The two claimed that Lhuillier obtained judicial titles over certain lots in 1996, but some of these were awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries in 1999.

Pua also said Lhuillier’s quarrying activities were approved by the barangay through a resolution.

Pua and Mondigo said some of the sitios in Campusong that used to be without roads are now becoming accessible, thanks to Lhuillier who started to develop his acquired properties in the area.

They denied that the businessman had threatened lot owners to sell their properties.

Arman Perez, an official of Bayan Muna who helped organize the alleged affected residents, failed to show up in last Monday’s dialogue. — Freeman News Service