Over 100 families in Sityo Marna, Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, were shocked and worried after an alleged illegal demolition along F. Cabahug Street. A private demolition team representing Taipan Corporation used heavy equipment to destroy over 20 houses.
Demolition lacked proper documentation
The operation had no clear identification tags, no court sheriff present, and continued beyond the allowed hours for demolitions. The Mandaue City government, through the Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO) headed by Ramy Inopiquez, stopped the operation after discovering that the demolition team relied on a court order issued in 2016.
Under the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), demolition orders must be implemented within three years from issuance. Claimants must obtain a new court order to legally proceed with eviction of current occupants.
Residents given only one hour to leave
Inopiquez stated that the operation remains suspended until the demolition team presents valid and legal documents from the court. Resident Rodegel Layno, who has lived in Sityo Marna for six years, expressed his grief after the demolition team gave residents only one hour to pack their belongings and leave their homes.
“Why were they shouting ‘demolish, demolish, demolish’ and gave us only one hour? Leave now, we will destroy your houses. That traumatized us,” Layno said. He and other residents also claimed that the demolition team started destroying some houses even before the allotted eviction time was over.
Authorities investigating legality
Authorities continue to review the legality of the operation while residents await further developments in the case.
