Soldiers, kin to fight for their lots

CEBU, Philippines — Over 200 families occupying the 168 structures in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas in Cebu City are ready to stop the demolition order, which is expected to be executed within this week.

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day of demolition as ordered by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 Special Sheriff Nelso Sungahid. The order was issued on February 26.

In an Amended Notice to Implement the Writ of Execution signed by Sungahid, the owners of structures built on Lot 937, a 4.5-hectare private property, were informed that the demolition that was put on hold before was rescheduled for March 11 to 15.

Archangels’ Residence Mergence, Inc. (ARMI) President Anne Martel said there are retired army personnel deployed in the property to ensure that the demolition will not be implemented.

She claimed the property is owned by the government, not by Mariano Godinez.

“The property was bought by the government for the families of the military personnel,” she said.

To recall, the RTC granted the motion of Godinez, who claimed to be the lot owner, to implement the writ of demolition of houses on the 4.5-hectare property in Sitio San Miguel last year.

In 2010, Godinez, through his counsel, filed a case to reclaim Lot 937, which is being occupied by 168 families who are mostly active and retired soldiers of Armed Forces of the Philippines and police officers of the Philippine National Police since 1997.

The residents, Martel said, have been living in the area for decades already and none of them knew Godinez.

“We only heard about him in 2010 when the first demolition order was issued,” she said.

Martel said there were 35 families who reportedly received P100,000 from Godinez, adding that these families may voluntarily tear down their houses.

She said the association was also “misrepresented” by its former leaders who signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Governor Hilario Davide III for the relocation of the residents.

Martel, who was elected as president of the association in July 2018, said the relocation of affected families is in Lot 1112 in Barangay Apas, but turned out to be owned by the Central Command of the Philippines that is why they cannot move there.

She said the residents were not informed about the MOA and other undertakings.

Martel is asking the city government to support the residents who are families of the military personnel.

“Don’t treat our soldiers and their families as squatters. We should not forget that they help defend and secure our country,” she said.

Some of the opposition-allied city councilors, including Pastor Alcover, Jr. and Joel Garganera went to the area yesterday to show their support to the residents.

Alcover said the party will meet and discuss on how they can assist the families on the matter. (FREEMAN)