A backhoe leaves the area after destroying on Monday a two-storey house owned by the Abrogueña family located near the Prince Hypermart, national highway, Barangay 1, Balingasag in Misamis Oriental. Photo by Edwin Iyo
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By Edwin Iyo
Correspondent .

Victims of a demolition in Balingasag were arrested Monday after figuring in a commotion against workers of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

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Police arrested Virginia Ligtas-Abrogueña, 61 and her son Apollo, 23, who both resided at the two-story house which portion located within the Road Right Of Way and the other side portion was in the property land of the Gorospe family now owned and occupied by the Princetown Hyper Mart in Barangay 1, Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental.

Police Col. Cecelio Orcullo, Balingasag chief of police, said an initial investigation that the older Abrogueña allegedly held a stick and started beating DPWH workers.

Her son, Apollo, allegedly held a bolo. Apollo said he had no other choice but to protect their home from being demolished.

Witnessed said that when the demolition started at the Abrogueña house, the older Abrogueña started beating two of the DPWH workers with a stick.

However, Virginia denied the allegations saying she did not strike any worker.

Igo ra ko nagwarawara sa kahoy arun dili sila maka guba sa akong balay,” she said.

The house of the victims was destroyed using the backhoe owned by Balingasag.

Abrogueña also said as she accepted the fact that their house is up for demolition.

“My house was destroyed and demolished without notice upon the alleged instruction of Engr. Ronald T. Gempisao,” Abrogueña said.

Balingasag mayor Alexis Quina said the DPWH has already informed people several times, that all structures at the highway are subject for demolition for the ongoing road widening project of national government.

Pero uban diha mga gahi ug ulo,” said Quina.

Quina added that those who will be affected by the series of demolitions (including the Abrogueña family) have a relocation site which are located in Barangays Cogon, Napaliran, and Linggangaw.

Dili mi’g hawa kay nagbayad mi buhis matag tuig naa mi tax declaration nga ubos sa ako pangalan,” Abrogueña insisted.

It was learned the house of the Abrogueña family which she mentions she paid her taxes was part of the vicinity of Princetown they acquired from the Gorospe family.

Orcullo said they are now preparing appropriate charges against the Abrogueñas.

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