Landowner in Camotes files charges over alleged unauthorized quarry

Local

A LANDOWNER has filed a lawsuit against municipal officials and private individuals in Poro town , Camotes Islands, Cebu over alleged unauthorized quarrying on his property.

Mario Suson, a U.S.-based native of San Francisco, Camotes, lodged the civil case on February 28 before the 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Poro.

He accused Councilor Dervin Yuzon and spouses Roy and Janet Garciano of illegally extracting limestone from his 13,000-square-meter property in Barangay Paz.

The complaint also named Poro Mayor Edgar G. Rama, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer Rodel Bontuyan, Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Officer Ramil Labana, and Barangay Paz Captain Bebelin Segovia for allegedly failing to intervene despite being aware of the quarrying activities.

According to Suson, the extracted limestone was used for municipal projects using government-owned equipment.

The quarry site, one of only two limestone sources on Camotes Islands, has been a primary supplier for infrastructure projects in Poro.

Residents, including landowner Doris Lacbayo, have raised safety concerns, citing the risk of landslides and the absence of protective measures at the site.

Suson said he first learned of the alleged quarrying in August 2024 through an anonymous message on social media.

When he returned to the Philippines in September and inspected the area, he found an open-pit excavation hidden behind a hill, with pits reportedly reaching depths of 30 to 50 feet.

A relocation survey later confirmed that nearly a hectare of his land had been quarried, rendering it unfit for agriculture. Despite confronting Yuzon, Suson said the quarrying continued.

On February 24, Yuzon allegedly contacted Suson to propose a land swap as a settlement, which the landowner declined. Instead, Suson demanded full compensation for the damage.

He claimed that Yuzon admitted to carrying out the quarrying with the Garcianos and disclosed that they lacked permits from the Province of Cebu and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources .

Yuzon allegedly further stated that the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office had denied their permit application.

Legal action

Suson is asking the court to stop the quarrying, remove the occupants, and restore his land.

He is also seeking a full damage assessment and a temporary restraining order to prevent further excavation.

The case underscores ongoing concerns over land ownership disputes and environmental protection in Camotes Islands, where reports of unauthorized quarrying on private properties have surfaced in recent months. The defendants have yet to issue a response to the matter.(MyTVCebu)