Landowner suspends clearing of disputed Lapu-Lapu City lot after acid-throwing
Charges were filed yesterday against two members of the Alimaong “tribe” who splashed acid on a clearing crew during last Wednesday’s foiled operation in a disputed private lot in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
A complaint accusing Kali Agila, 30, and Bae Peranha, 30, of serious physical injury and disobedience was filed at the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.
SPO1 Candido Barinque, Lapu-Lapu City police investigator, said two of the five men who were splashed with muriatic acid suffered burns in their eyes and would need the care of an ophthalmologist. The others had minor burns in their arms and faces.
Police arrested the two men after a clash between the clearing crew and illegal settlers contesting ownership of the land occupied for over 20 years.
After losing a court eviction case, their houses were demolished on Sept. 24 when a writ of execution was enforced but residents returned to the area and destroyed a newly built fence. The clearing crew last Wednesday tried to enter and restore the fence.
Vanessa Briones, who has been assigned special power of attorney by the lot owners, the Segura family, said that they suspended the plan to fence the lot on the advice of their lawyer.
“Lisud gyud kaayo sudlon ang lugar kay makigpatay man kuno sila (The area is difficult to clear since the illegal settlers vowed to fight to the death),” said Briones.
Briones said they plan to hire security guards to protect the clearing crew when they proceed with the fencing and then post blue guards in the area.
“We already fenced the area after the demolition last Sept. 24 but they destroyed the fence and went back to settle in the area,” she said.
Briones said the Marigondon police also advised them to hire blue guards since the police have to keep a distance from the area because this operation is no longer requested by the court.
According to Senior Insp. Alcon Escusora, it is now the responsibility of the private owner to deal with the informal settlers.
He said the police would keep their distance and only intervene if there is actual violence.
Meanwhile, Datu Kusgano Mangal, leader of the Lumad KKK (Kinatas-ang Kahugpungan sa mga Kadatuan) – Alimaong, said they are preparing for another clash. He promised they would defend the property they claim as “ancestral land.”
Mangal questioned the legality of the court order to eject them. He said this was an injustice to indigenous people. The group has not be officially accredited as a tribal minority or pre-Spanish indigenous group by the government, but Mangal’s title identifies him as “chieftain of Mactan island.”
He asked for government aid, saying their children got sick and some were injured stepping on protruding nails. “Ang gobyerno wala gyud makatabang sa among sitwasyon (The government has not been able to help our situation),” he said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she was not aware of the demolition but she will send someone to assess the situation and see how they can help the affected settlers.
The settlers yesterday repaired their shanties and posted men to guard the area and prevent strangers from entering the disputed lot.
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