Settlers of a lot located near the regional National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Capitol Site in Cebu City formed a human barricade to block a demolition team at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A portion of M. Velez Street located near the Cebu Provincial Capitol was also closed to vehicular traffic after settlers occupied the road to block the demolition team.
The government owned lot is occupied by 150 families, Capitol Site village chief Manuel Guanzon said. Guanzon said the lot should not have been included in the demolition order issued by Regional Trial Court branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro which covers the nearby Lot No. 6085-A-1. Court Sheriff El Cid Caballes and the demolition team arrived in the area at 9:30 a.m.
They were supposed to demolish first a structure owned by Petra Abaquita but they were barred by the angry residents.
Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña arrived to pacify the residents and negotiate with Caballes.
Negotiations continued with the arrival of lawyer Jade Ponce, head of the Cebu City’s Solid Management Board and an ally of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.