Talisay demolition team pulls out after commotion with residents

CEBU, Philippines – A commotion ensued between the demolition team of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes and the residents of a subdivision after the former tried to demolish their gate to give access to the residents of another subdivision in Barangay Biasong, Talisay City yesterday morning.

Mafe Torregosa, one of the residents, told The FREEMAN that the demolition team led by the brother of the city mayor, James, brought acetylene torch and tried to melt down the metal gate.

The residents reportedly got irked and grabbed brooms and other hard objects and struck the demolition team members.

Supt. Germano Mallari, chief of  Talisay City police, arrived and tried to pacify the parties.  Mallari said there was an altercation between him and the developer’s council after the latter ordered him to immediately implement the demolition order issued by Mayor JVR.

He said the police were present  to look after the peace and order situation and not to be the implementing authorities.

Mallari said he was worried that the commotion would worsen, which prompted him to order his men and the demolition team to pull out.

He said the controversy is still pending before the Office of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

The police official asked for the legal documents of both parties for him to refer them to their legal counsel in Police Regional Office-7.

Another resident, Noreida Logronio, said their officials of the homeowner’s association were not around when the demolition team arrived.

She said the controversy started when the developer purchased a lot beside their subdivision and developed it into another subdivision and introduced it to them as the Phase 2 of their subdivision.

Logronio said Phase 2 was never been introduced by the developer when they signed their contracts to buy a unit  in Joanna subdivision, also known as Palm River.

She said the developer demolished their concrete fence which connects the two subdivisions so the other subdivision residents may pass the existing road intended for the older subdivision.

Torregosa, separately, said that they were shocked upon knowing that the developer acted as the president of the homeowner’s association and donated their road to the city government of  Talisay.

Mayor JVR’s demolition order stated that the government will clear all objects obstructing the main road of Palm River Subdivision in Barangay Biasong for the road right of way of the adjacent subdivisions and affected residents.

Torregosa said they have been there since 2008 and there were no urban poor residents living at the time. When the urban poor settled, they had their own right of way not passing through their road.

“We bought this unit to have peace and to be in private. Why do we allow other people not living our subdivision to pass through our road,” Torregosa said.

They were asking the city mayor not to meddle with the controversy because they have still pending case against the developer and the homeowners.

“Gipasabong ra man gud mi sa developer aron iyang malihok ang iyang laing subdivision,” Torregosa said.

The FREEMAN was trying to get the side of the developer but the latter could not be reached for comment as of press time yesterday. (FREEMAN)