Heirs face charges after padlocking Lapu-Lapu school gates

Lawyer James Sayson (center), city legal officer of Lapu-Lapu City, said the actions of these individuals were unjust, especially since a female guard was trapped inside the school premises.| Photo by DySS Super Radyo

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Seven individuals who padlocked the gates of Abuno Elementary and High School in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, will face charges of illegal detention and grave coercion.

This was revealed by Lawyer James Sayson, the City Legal Officer of Lapu-Lapu City.

According to Sayson, the actions of these individuals were unjust, especially since a female guard was trapped inside the school premises.

Sayson stated that the heirs of the lot’s original owner, Marciano Alegres, padlocked the school on Friday, November 1, 2024.

In September, Pajac Barangay Captain Bonifacio Ompad reported that the heirs had informed them of their intention to padlock the school, asserting that their grandfather owned the property, thereby making the school an illegal occupant on their land.

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However, this plan was only carried out last Friday.

Sayson and Lawyer Maricar Nuñez, the legal officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Lapu-Lapu City, indicated that they possess documents showing the property was donated to the city, as well as other legal documents, including a resolution from the city council.

Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan previously advised the claimants to bring the matter to court and follow the proper legal process.

“The school has been used as a public elementary and high school for sixty years,” Chan said.

Futch Anthony Inso
November 5, 2024

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—Seven individuals who padlocked the gates of Abuno Elementary School and High School in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, will face charges of illegal detention and grave coercion.

This was revealed by Lawyer James Sayson, City Legal officer of Lapu-Lapu City.

According to Sayson, the acts displayed by these individuals were unjust, especially that a lady guard was trapped inside the school premises.

Sayson said that the heirs of the lot’s original owner, Marciano Alegres, padlocked the school on Friday, November 1, 2024.

In September, Pajac Barangay Captain Bonifacio Ompad said that the heirs informed them that they would padlock the school since their grandfather owned the property, making the school a squatter of their lot.

However, the plan was only fulfilled last Friday.

Sayson and Lawyer Maricar Nuñez, legal officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Lapu-Lapu City, said that they have documents to show that the property was donated to the city, and other legal documents such as the resolution from the city council.

Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan earlier advised the claimant to go to court and undergo a legal process.

“Sixty years nang gigamit ang school as a public school, elementary and high school,” Chan said.

Sayson further noted that the city cannot simply compensate the claimants, even if they provide documents supporting their claims, in order to avoid accountability issues with the Commission on Audit.

Currently, the principal of Abuno Elementary School, Airene Godinez, reported that classes have resumed normally after the padlocks were removed on Sunday, November 3, 2024. /clorenciana