CEBU CITY – A group of residents in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City are worried after learning that the area where they were relocated is a subject of legal tussle between the city government and a private individual.

A TARPAULIN warning intruders of possible legal charges is put up in the premises of a controversial lot in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City. (Calvin D. Cordova)  

According to a house owner, some of them didn't know that a private individual is claiming ownership of the nine-hectare lot that was used by the city government as a relocation site.

“I hope we will not be dragged into this issue because we were just told to transfer here,” said one of the residents.

The residents said that there were about 100 of them from Sitio Pagatpat, Paknaan who were transferred to the area after their houses were demolished as part of the city’s enforcement of the three-meter easement rule.

The residents admitted that they did not sign any documents when they moved to the area.

The residents said they were willing to talk to Maria Priscilla Melendres to resolve the issue.

Melendres, who is claiming ownership of the lot, has filed a case of forcible entry against some officials of Mandaue City when they broke into the area and demolished some structures.

The city has also allowed some informal settlers to construct houses in the area.

The Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 in Mandaue City had dismissed the case filed by Melendres who then filed an appeal before Branch 88 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Melendres’ appeal was granted by the RTC, which declared the proceedings of the lower court null and void for non-inclusion of an indispensable party, which is the city of Mandaue.

The RTC also directed Melendres to file an amended complaint “with the inclusion of the City of Mandaue represented by Mayor Jonas Cortes as party-defendant.”

The RTC also instructed the lower court “to conduct further proceedings.”

On Saturday morning, September 16, Melendres put up tarpaulins in the area, informing the residents of the recent ruling of the RTC reversing the earlier decision of the lower court.

Melendres warned that she will file cases against those occupying and will occupy the area.

She is claiming ownership of the area based on the tax declaration that is in her possession.

“There are about 200 houses that have been built here and what’s unusual is that some of them arrived at dawn,” said Melendres.