THE Cebu Provincial Government identified at least 10 persons who are allegedly responsible for selling property rights in Sitio Upper Panabang, Barangay Lahug in Cebu City.
Capitol chief security officer Loy Madrigal said they now have the names of the culprits, but he declined to name them pending the filing of complaints.
Some of the residents of Sitio San Miguel in Barangay Apas whose houses were demolished two months ago transferred to Upper Panabang.
Madrigal said some of the affected families tried to construct houses on the Capitol-owned property in Upper Panabang after allegedly buying rights to occupy some lots.
Gov. Hilario Davide III learned that someone has been selling property rights in the area.
“Naa na sila (The culprits are there) and we are still working on identifying them.
Naa tay mga ngan. Naa tay mga nahibaw-an kung kinsa pero (We now have the names. We know them but) we will continue to verify,” Madrigal told reporters.
Madrigal said they will give all the facts they gathered to the Provincial Legal Office.
He said some of those who sell property rights constructed houses, sold them, then built another house.
Madrigal said they already demolished about 40 skeletal structures of houses since last Friday.
However, there are still those who attempt to build new structures.
The chief security officer said they noticed that the illegal settlers covered the skeletal structures of houses with tarpaulin.
They would only remove the tarpaulin once the structure is completed, said Madrigal.
He said they have a list of around 300 families who have been living in the area for several years who are considered bonafide occupants of the property.
The families were included in the original census.
Madrigal warned against the illegal construction of houses in the area, adding that those who do so would only waste their money.
The Capitol’s anti-illegal squatting task force will continue to monitor the area and demolish illegal structures, he said.