Capitol consultant defends demolition

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol followed the process required by law by filing an ejectment case against a family in sitio Sudlon, barangay Lahug, and the demolition was the logical end of the case, said Capitol consultant Rory John Sepulveda.

This after the court last Wednesday demolished the house of Bernarda Laygan in Sudlon two years after it issued the demolition order as a result of the case filed by Capitol.

Sepulveda said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia tasked them to secure the entire available assets of the province for its value not to diminish.

He added that more residents in the lot owned by the province are due to face the same case and it just happened that Laygan’s case was the first one to be resolved with finality by the court.

Some residents have agreed to transfer to the relocation site provided by the Capitol.

Capitol plans to build an Agro Industrial Complex in the said place, a sort of a “bagsakan market.”

Court sheriff Edilberto Suarin said the court issued a writ of demolition last Jan. 28, but they gave the Laygans at least 30 days to voluntarily dismantle their house and leave the lot.

 Meanwhile, Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said the Laygans are not entitled to a relocation site. — Johanna Natavio and Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)