Tensions flare as Probe tries to demolish structures

Cebu City’s demolition team failed to demolish two structures in  Doña Pepang cemetery in barangay Tejero yesterday after former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña and his lawyer, Benjamin Militar, intervened.

Osmeña, who is also a former Cebu City south representative, however, arrived after members of Cebu City’s Prevention, Restoration, Orderly, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team were attacked with mud and human waste by residents in the area to prevent them from demolishing the two structures.

Osmeña and Militar confronted Probe assistant chief Wendell Cenas and told him that what they were doing was illegal.

“Just because there is no TRO doesn’t mean this is legal. I am requesting you to postpone your operation because we are still in court with this,” said Militar in Cebuano.

He asked why the Probe team was rushing to clear the site when the city government had no clear idea yet on how to use the Doña Pepang area.

READ: Doña Pepang settlers hold protest at City Hall | Tomas wants judge to inhibit from Doña Pepang cemetery case | Nine houses demolished at Doña Pepang cemetery

He also said that the demolition don’t even  have court order.

“Does the mayor have the legal right to demolish without a court order? The answer is no. He has no basis whatsover unless he goes to court,” Militar said.

Barangay Tejero councilman Garry Lao who went to the area said the residents were willing to move from the area, but they were waiting for the city government to give them a proper relocation site.

Lao said the DWUP (Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor) had given them a relocation site at the back of the Doña Pepang cemetery, but it is still under negotiation since the lot is privately owned.

Cenas said they suspended yesterday’s clearing operation because it was already lunch break.

He said they would continue their operation in the afternoon. This, however, didn’t happen.