Tension rises at lawyer's lot anew

CEBU, Philippines - Three days after the conflict at the property of lawyer Raul Sesbreño in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City, another tension broke out yesterday morning when occupants who refuse to vacate the property allegedly threw stones and empty glass bottles at the sheriff and the team tasked to demolish their structures.

Armed with a writ of demolition issued by the Regional Trial Court and with the help of the demolition team, Sheriff Constancio Alimurong started demolishing a junk shop owned by one Efren Oros when stones and bottles went flying their direction.

The stones and bottles allegedly came from Oros’ compound. No one was hit except for a jeepney that was passing by the area heading toward the Tabunok area. The jeepney sustained a dent on its side where it was hit by a stone.

Policemen and members of the city‘s Special Reaction Unit were quick to secure the area and warned those responsible to stop the stone-throwing.

Supt. Eddie Recamara, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, also negotiated with Oros and his cohorts to stop the disturbance so as not to fuel the ongoing tension further.

Oros is occupying about 1,000 square meters of Sesbreño’s property.

Oros and some of the residents have been refusing to leave the property as they still have a pending motion before the court. They also refused to honor the document carried by Alimurong as it was reportedly not a writ of execution.

Alimurong said there are a few remaining structures inside Sesbreno‘s eight-hectare lot as some of the occupants were able to get relief from the court through a writ of demolition. Oros, however, is not among the lucky few.

The demolition continued until 3pm yesterday and is set to continue today. — (FREEMAN)