A COUPLE has taken legal action against municipal officials and private individuals over alleged illegal quarrying on their property in Barangay Paz, Poro, Camotes Island, Cebu.
Mario and Sheila Suson, who are based in the United States, filed a complaint before the 7th Judicial Region Municipal Circuit Trial Court, accusing Councilor Dervin Yuzon and spouses Roy and Janet Garciano of unlawfully extracting limestone from their three-hectare property.
Poro Mayor Edgar Rama, Provincial Environmental Officer Rodel Bontuyan and Municipal Environmental Officer Ramil Labana were also included in the complaint for allegedly failing to stop the activity.
According to the complaint, the quarrying has caused extensive damage to the land, leaving a deep crater and destroying its vegetation.
The Susons said they purchased the lot for a retirement home, but it has now become uninhabitable due to the excavation.
The spouses claim that local officials tolerated the unauthorized quarrying, and that the extracted limestone was used for municipal projects.
Government equipment was also allegedly seen transporting materials from the site.
Mario learned about the quarrying in August. Upon inspecting the area in September, he discovered an unpaved road leading to the site and a large pit where the quarrying took place.
Workers at the location allegedly confirmed that Yuzon and the Garcianos were behind the operations.
Despite repeated warnings by the Susons, the quarrying continued.
In February 2025, Suson visited the land again, only to find an even more massive open crater, the complaint said.
Failed negotiation
“From their estimates, the area quarried had grown larger by more than a hectare compared to the previous visit,” read a portion of the document.
The couple initially tried to resolve the issue through an actual meeting, with Yuzon proposing a land swap. But the negotiations failed after the Susons denied the offer, saying Yuzon should buy the entire lot instead.
The Susons are seeking to regain possession of their land, stop the quarrying and claim damages amounting to at least P1.6 million.
They are also requesting an inventory of the damage and accountability from the officials.
The lawsuit raises concerns about land ownership disputes and environmental protection in Camotes, particularly with reports of illegal quarrying activities affecting private properties. (JPS)