PRES. ROXAS, Capiz – Capiz Sugar Central, Inc. had extended a compassionate offer to sell disputed lots to 11 households in Barangay Hanglid at less than half the market price, but the occupants ultimately refused the deal, leading to a court-ordered demolition on February 3, 2025.
The demolition stems from a January 7, 2013 decision by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 in Roxas City, which ruled that Capiz Sugar is the lawful owner of the property and ordered the defendants to vacate the premises.
Despite the finality of the ruling, the company accommodated the occupants’ request in May 2023 to purchase the lots instead. However, the defendants later backed out of the agreement, for reasons they have not disclosed.
“It is unfortunate,” said Atty. Wigberto R. Tañada, Jr., legal counsel of Capiz Sugar, “that defendants rejected Capiz Sugar’s efforts last May 2023 at an amicable and peaceful resoltion of this matter.”
The legal battle began when the defendants, originally led by the now-deceased Crisanto Lauderes and later represented by his wife, Gloria Lauderes, asserted that they had occupied the land for over 40 years and had acquired ownership through prescription.
However, the court ruled that since the property was already titled under Capiz Sugar, continuous occupation alone could not grant them legal ownership.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, the defendants took their case to the Court of Appeals, which upheld the lower court’s ruling and dismissed their appeal on March 15, 2019.
With the decision becoming final and executory, Capiz Sugar secured a writ of execution from RTC Branch 17 on October 14, 2022, paving the way for the demolition.
When the defendants learned of the execution order, they sought the intervention of Pres. Roxas municipal officials, requesting permission to buy the land instead of vacating it.
Capiz Sugar agreed to the request and facilitated the preparation of necessary documents to formalize the sale at a significantly reduced price.
However, the defendants later withdrew from the agreement, and the planned demolition—initially set for October 21-25, 2024—was postponed after they again sought the intervention of Mayor Receliste L. Escolin.
In an October 18, 2024 meeting, Escolin attempted to broker a settlement, but no agreement was reached.
With the defendants still refusing to leave, the demolition was rescheduled for November 25-29, 2024.
Before it could push through, the defendants filed multiple motions with the court to halt the demolition.
After hearing their pleas, RTC Branch 17 Judge Lorencito B. Diaz denied their motions and reaffirmed the demolition order.
In his ruling, Diaz cited certifications from Barangay Hanglid Chairperson and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, stating that the defendants are neither homeless nor underprivileged.
With the latest legal challenge resolved, the demolition proceeded on February 3, 2025.
To prevent any untoward incidents, the court had sought assistance from the Capiz Provincial Office of the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order.
Despite its repeated efforts to settle the issue amicably, Capiz Sugar maintained that it had no choice but to enforce the court ruling.
The company remained firm that it had exhausted all possible options to resolve the dispute peacefully.