Apas residents facing demolition threat anew

CEBU, Philippines — Residents of lot 937 in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas, Cebu City yesterday claimed that they are again facing threat of demolition despite a pending appeal from the city government for the court to delay the demolition for six months while a relocation site is being prepared.

The affected residents sought the assistance of Mayor Edgardo Labella to stop the demolition. They also put up tarpaulins announcing to the public that the disputed lot is owned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and not by a private individual.

Labella said he requested the police to assist the residents. The mayor said that under the Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, no demolition should be done without proper relocation.

“As the mayor of Cebu I am invoking the Republic Act 7279 that they should not be demolished unless there is a relocation site,” said Labella.

The mayor said he is hoping that no demolition will be done anytime soon until his motion is resolved by the court.

“I have to wait for the motion or request na ako gihimo sa korte, hinaot unta nga hatagan mi og six months while the city is preparing for the relocation site,” Labella said.

The city government earlier asked the Regional Trial Court to suspend the demolition of houses in Sitio San Miguel in Barangay Apas. The court earlier issued the writ of execution of the demolition order affecting the houses of 205 families of military men and retired soldiers occupying the 4.5-hectare property. The demolition was set from October 9 to 31.

The court granted the writ of demolition to Mariano Godinez who claimed to own the property.  FPL (FREEMAN)