Sheriff faces complaint over ‘illegal’ demolition

Some residents of Sitio Tangke in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City filed criminal and administrative cases against a court sheriff for allegedly illegally demolishing their houses.

The residents accused Edilberto Suarin, sheriff at the Municipal Trial Court Branch 6 in Cebu City, of violating the anti-graft law, dereliction of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to public interest.

“During these demolition periods, harassment and abuses were prevalent with knowledge, consent and actual participation of Suarin,” they said.

In their complaint, which they filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, the residents said there were only 25 residents of their village who were named respondents in the ejectment case filed in court.

But when the demolition order was issued, about 162 people were listed in the demolition order, including the respondents.

The residents’ lawyer later filed a motion to exclude them from the demolition order, but the court denied it for lack of merit.

The demolition was implemented on Oct. 18, 2017, and on various dates in January and March 2018.

But the residents said that the demolition team harassed and abused them. Some allegedly threw their personal belongings into the canal during the demolition, which continued even on Holy Week.

Armed men also reportedly roamed around the area at night.

“We opted to file this case with the hope that it will be heard and justice will be served against the abuses and harassment that we and our children suffered,” they said.

The complainants are Janny Anter, Josephina Oraca, Winelane Micabalo, Bryan Abatayo, Marlene Legara, Victoriano Anter, Felix Gemperoso, Rose Jane Bayno, Alan Oca Heramiz, Mylene Cantila, Reynalyn Adlawan, Erwin Anter, Rolando Garrido, Jr., Marissa Batiquin, Antonio Molos, Caroline Pulgo, Angela Alcazar, Esther Jakosalem, Olivia Namanas, Jovanni Enriga, Josephine Requiso, Carmelita Lines, Genelyn Anter, Tiburcio Egoc, Louie Alcazar, Regino Namanas, Jr., Edith Boctolan, and Montine Sebial. /