Settlers ask court to stop Citi Center Demolition

CEBU, Philippines - At least seventy-two families affected in the demolition of the Citi Center Complex in Barangay Kamagayan has filed a civil case for mandamus against the Cebu City government and the barangay officials after they were allegedly not afforded due process of law.

The affected residents, through lawyer Banjamin Militar, asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order against Mayor Michael Rama, Raquel Arce, chief of the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement Division, Kamagayan Barangay Captain Raquel Avila, and Councilmen Rene Roy Avila, Mansueto Avila, Jerome Avila, Rico Ramirez, and Norbeto Diaz to stop the demolition.

The complainants are also asking P300,000 in actual, moral, and exemplary damages and attorney’s fee.

The residents asked the court to stop the demolition of the remaining structures within the Citi Center Complex and allow them to stay in the area until the case is resolved

According to the residents, their houses were demolished without due process of law. The affected families said they tried to negotiate with Arce but their pleas have fallen in deaf ears.

Militar, on behalf of the residents, wrote to Rama asking for the suspension of the demolition citing that the residential homes of the families are not considered nuisance under Republic Act 7279 or Urban Development Housing Act.

The residents said Rama appeared before them but they were told that the demolition will push through to give way to a new infrastructure project in the area.

However, the residents said they were not given relocation site nor financial assistance by the city government.

The city government is planning to build a housing project for City Hall employees in the area. (FREEMAN)