Five men charged for tearing down store

FIVE men are facing charges for unauthorized demolition of a structure in barangay Angus, Lapu-Lapu City, last month.

Complaints for malicious mischief were filed with the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office against  Porferio Wagwag, a barangay tanod, Nonoy Villaperille, lupon and laborers Renato Apa, Romel Talingting and Judato Manayon.

Janet Igot complained that the five men demolished her store, which was said to have encroached a barangay road.

The five men failed to present papers authorizing them to destroy the store.

Igot called the police who arrested Talingting and Manayon and stopped the demolition.

Agus barangay captain Remegio Oyao admitted he ordered the demolition.

Oyao said he thought the barangay was authorized to demolish the store after they informed the city administrator of the store’s encroachment of a barangay road.

Lapu-Lapu City administrator Teodolo Ybañez admitted that he was informed of the presence of the store months ago.

Ybañez endorsed the report to the city legal office.

Ybañes, however, said it was the city legal office who has the authority to demolish the structure, not the barangay./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA