200 houses face demolition

Around 200 families in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas, Cebu City may lose their homes due to a court ordered demolition.

But the families, who are members of Archangels Residents Mergence Inc. (Armi) are against it, saying it violates their Constitutional right to due process as they were not given the chance to be heard in court.

Members of Armi are also asking the City Government to assist them in pursuing the case, particularly that the Office of the Solicitor General has already intervened and supported their position.

Anne Martel, Armi president, said they never had the chance to talk to Mayor Tomas Osmeña but in 2012, the mayor, who was then congressman in the south district, assured them that he will help them.

“The residents are still hopeful about the promise made by the mayor before,” Martel said.

In an Amended Notice to Implement the Writ of Execution/ Writ of Demolition signed by Special Sheriff Nelson Sungahid, members of Armi and other structure owners who built on Lot 937 were informed that the demolition that was put on hold before was rescheduled on March 11 to 15.

“In this connection, your cooperation is highly appreciated to avoid undue inconvenience on your part. In case on said dates, the weather is not good, the implementation of the Writ of Demolition will be made on the following day if the weather is good,” read a portion of the notice.

In a letter to Armi, Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, executive assistant of Osmeña, assured the families that the City will support them on their stand against the execution of the demolition because it must comply with the requirements provided by law.