Indigent families lose homes in Lapu demolition

ABOUT 50 indigent families lost their homes following a court-ordered demolition in sitio Kitchen, barangay Pajo in Lapu-Lapu City at past 9 a.m yesterday.

At least 50 police personnel accompanied by 65 members of a demolition crew carried out the demolition order issued by Judge Manuel Sabello of the Lapu-Lapu City Municipal Trial Courts (MTC) last Oct. 26.

Most of the families who refused to vacate their houses claimed they were not given a 30-day notice of demolition.

Residents like Lea Rabago said they would have demolished their shanties voluntarily if they were given advance notice.

For now, Rabago said she and her family will make a laminated sack as their home.

Escolastico Daitol, legal counsel for the settlers, said the families were not provided an adequate relocation site.

But Sheriff Jasper Tajadlangit said a three- to five-hectare relocation site in barangay Canjulao is readied for them.

He also dismissed threats by Daitol that they will file a case against him in the Visayas-Ombudsman.

The three hectares area in sitio Kitchen formerly occupied by the settlers is said to be owned by the Mandaue-Cebu Trade Center.

The demolition was scheduled last November but moved to this month instead, Tajadlangit said.

He said the residents were first notified about the demolition last August.

Tajadlangit said the demolition was postponed last November due to the coming holidays. Correspondents Fe Marie Dumaboc and Norman V. Mendoza