Basak lot owners stall fencing plan

CEBU, Philippines - After Wednesday’s demolition that saw the arrest of at least two residents, the owners of the 4,000-square meter lot in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City are not yet keen on fencing the area.

Vanessa Briones, granddaughter of Gregorio Segura who is reportedly the rightful owner of the subject lot, said they will first seek the advice of their legal counsel before making any further action.

"There is no advisory yet. We still need to talk with our lawyers and other advisers. Lisod baya sudlon tungod sa ka violent sa mga tawo," said Briones, who holds a special power of attorney signed by the Segura family.

Two days ago, anxiety crept in Sitio San Isidro Labrador where the houses of more than 30 families were destroyed by a 20-man clearing crew. For years, the area has become the dwelling place of members of different tribes from Bohol, Negros and Mactan Island.

During the demolition order’s implementation, two tribe members, identified as Kali Agila and Bae Peranha, both 30 years old, were arrested after allegedly throwing to the demolition team tin cans containing muriatic acid.

Agila and Peranha are now facing charges of physical injuries and disobedience.

Tribal  hearing

Rufo Narval Jr., 45, also known as Datu Batubalani of Higa-onan Bol-anon Tribe, said they commenced a tribal hearing yesterday afternoon to discuss what actions to take.

"Naa man mi tribal justice system. Dili puwede amo ipagpaliban bisa’g nag-ulan," he told The FREEMAN.

Naval's group rebuilt their tribal hall destroyed by the clearing team for the second time. The hall was initially wrecked last September 24.

Narval said their own hearing will last for three days and aims to look for remedies to their present situation.

Ramon Sitoy Dela Cerna, 54, who claims to be the Grand Chieftain of Mactan Island, aired out his dismay on the demolition’s implementation when there was still a scheduled October 23 court hearing on the case, a claim belied by Briones.

"Naa’y scheduled court hearing sa Municipal Trial Court in Cities-Branch 1 karong October 23 kay na-postpone to ang September 11," Dela Cerna said, insisting that the case is still pending in court.

"Willing mi molakaw basta naa’y court order nga sa amoang ngalan. Pero di man among ngalan nakabutang sa court order. Dili pwede daug-daugon ang mga indigenous people," he added.

Narval said they welcome groups that want to help them. He said that at present, some affected families get wet whenever it rains.

"Nangabasa mi dinhi, luoy kaayo ang mga bata. Atop lang usa among gipangtaod. Wa gyu’y hustisya," he said.

Bound  to  follow

Narval had asked how come they are “suffering in their own ancestral land” when the city celebrates the yearly Kadaugan sa Mactan.

Yesterday, however, Mayor Paz Radaza said the city government is bound to respect the court's decision.

"It is a court decision. It's a decision we have to respect. They were already informed in the several conferences about it (demolition)," she said.

Radaza added that she will try to help the families but still needs to assess the situation because the area is owned by a private group.

"Most probably di nato mahimo ang tanan, but paningkamutan nato nga ato silang maatiman," she said.

Before the order was effected, 112 families already opted to avail of a program facilitated by the LG Cebu Foundation, which assists informal settlers in obtaining lots through a community mortgage program with the National Housing Authority.

Other households, however, turned down the offer, according to LG Cebu president Gilbert Torbeso.

He said the Segura family is willing to sell the property to the residents under an arrangement where they will pay a P600 monthly installment for 25 years. (FREEMAN)