Two soldiers cry for justice

CEBU, Philippines - Having spent half of his life defending the country, retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Second Lt. Bambino Callao Gabutero Jr. expressed dismay over how justice is being served here, the kind of justice that he believes comes easy only to those with deep pockets.

Gabutero, 59, is one of the residents threatened to be evicted from Lot 937 in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas. He served in the army for 26 years before he retired from service in 2000.

“Tunga sa akong kinabuhi akong gihalad para sa kalinaw sa nasod, karon nabiktima na nuon mi sa dunot nga sistema sa hustisya sa gobyerno. Karon nako na-realize nga ang hustisya para ra sa mga naa’y kwarta,” Gabutero said.

After his retirement, Gabutero used all his savings and monthly pension to build a decent home for his family on the lot given to them as privilege for serving in the AFP. Every peny he spent on the house came from the blood and sweat he shed in the battles he fought for the army’s peacekeeping missions.

Gabutero said that like the rest of the residents whose houses are threatened to be demolished, he is a builder in good faith.

He said it is not how much he spent for the house that matters. It is the sentimental value he cannot afford to lose. The house in sitio San Miguel is first investment as a soldier and he considers it a symbol of his 26 years in military service. It is also where he raised his five children.

Meanwhile, 55-year-old Estanislao “Rambo” Saldivia who retired from the service in 1999 said they are not squatters in the area.

Like the rest, he built his house with clearance from the headquarters because the lot was originally expropriated by the government to be distributed to the soldiers so they could build a house near the camp and not have to be away from their families.

“Gitugutan mi pagpuyo diha, dili mi squatters. Okay ra nang among nagasto diha, pero dili mabayran ang sentimental value anang lugara,” Saldivia said.

The residents of Sitio San Miguel swore to fight until the court gives them the chance to be heard.

The residents who formed themselves a group called the Archangel Residents Mergence Incorporated (ARMI) said the court ruled in favor of lot owner Mariano Godinez without hearing their side.

Gone are the days when they can sleep well at night and since April 16, when the court was supposed to execute the writ of demolition, never was a day without a fear that their houses will be demolished anytime, the retirees said.

The demolition that was supposedly rescheduled yesterday did not push through. Today might be another restless day as the court Sheriff might serve the demolition order anytime. — /JMO (FREEMAN)