CH won’t stop Apas demolition

The Cebu City government will no longer intervene in the court's decision ordering the demolition of houses built on a privately-owned property in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas.

Mayor's Executive Assistant Francisco Fernandez said the affected residents were already informed about the court's ruling.

“Duna na'y decision ang korte niana. We tried to defend them but the court has decided so they have to comply,” he said.

The Regional Trial Court has granted the motion of Mariano Godinez to implement the writ of demolition of houses on the latter's 4.5-hectare property in Sitio San Miguel.

Judge Alexander Acosta said the trial of the case has been dragging for more than 20 years and execution of the court's decision has been delayed.

The case stemmed from the case filed by Godinez, through his counsel, to reclaim Lot 937, which is being occupied by 168 people comprising of the active and retired army personnel and their families in 1997.

Fernandez said the city has done its best in the previous years to stop and delay the demolition.

He said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has been helping the affected families in the previous years, adding that the mayor even went to the Solicitor General to clarify concerns that the subject property may be owned by the government.

The mayor has been vocal on his suspicion before that the state might have bought the property.

Fernandez said there were several families who have left the area following an amicable settlement with Godinez.

“Mura'g apil man sa ilang amicable settlement nga they will be given relocation sa private owner but wala ko kakuha exactly sa details,” he said.

Two months ago, Fernandez said the affected families went to City Hall and sought for further assistance.

He said the city government explained to the families that the court has already ruled on the case.

“If duna na'y forcible demolition, certainly, motanaw ta but it's certainly under the jurisdiction of the court. Ang atoa lang is they will abide by the proper procedures,” he said.

Fernandez hopes the residents will yield to the court order to avoid chaos in the implementation of the writ.