Muntinlupa asks court to pause demolition

MANILA, Philippines — Following tensions during a planned demolition, the Muntinlupa city government has asked a Pasay court to pause the destruction of houses at Acero Compound in Barangay Cupang.

The Muntinlupa legal office filed an “urgent motion to stay execution” before the Regional Trial Court Branch 115, citing reports of tension and harassment in the area and the displacement of children enrolled in schools within the property.

The city requested that the demolition order be paused until the court sheriff and relevant government agencies “come up with a definite plan of action…securing the rights of the parties and preventing commotion or chaos that would affect the peace and order of the City of Muntinlupa.”

Mayor Ruffy Biazon visited the affected residents yesterday, urging them not to incite tension.

He previously held discussions this week with groups representing the residents and the legal counsel of the property owner, Ayala Steel.

“We are not letting go of this issue,” he said on Wednesday. “We are assisting residents to the best that we can, as much as the law allows.”

The Pasay court issued a final order of execution in March to demolish residences in the area, which is comprised of three parcels totaling 26,705 square meters.

The property has been the subject of a four-decade-long legal dispute.

Domingo Realty, which owned the parcels before Ayala Steel acquired them, entered into a compromise agreement with Antonio Acero in 1987, requiring him to vacate the property within 60 days.