More than 1,000 houses built within the property of Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon were demolished on Monday, June 16, 2025, by virtue of a court order.

Five residents who allegedly resisted authorities during the demolition were arrested.

“They were arrested for obstruction of justice and disobedience to persons with authority. So lahat ng pwedeng i-file na kaso gina-prepare na para sa kanila,” Bukidnon Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Major Jayvee Babaan, said.

The five men arrested have yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.

Despite the arrest, the demolition proceeded peacefully and without injuries. Other residents affected by the order destroyed their houses voluntarily.

Authorities implemented the writ of demolition issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 45, 10th Judicial Region against members of the Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus Multipurpose Cooperative (BTL) and Musuan Inhabitants Landless Farmers Association (MILFA) who have occupied and planted crops on the 155-hectare land owned by CMU.

More than 700 police officers were deployed to secure the area and the demolition team.

“Considering sa land area tapos sa number sa informal settlers nga ga-claim sa area they were distributed from different areas and strategic areas para ma-contain ang area,” Babaan added.

EXECUTION OF FINAL JUDGMENT

CMU filed a case in court after the respondents reportedly entered its property forcibly in 2024. The respondents reportedly thought the property is idle land and hoped to avail of a government program that distributes idle lands.

In a statement, CMU maintained that the demolition was not an arbitrary act but a lawful and necessary execution of a final judgment rendered by the court.

“Today marks a decisive moment in Central Mindanao University’s long-standing commitment to protect its land, uphold the rule of law, and defend the future of academic integrity,” CMU said.

“CMU’s role in this implementation has been purely logistical. We did not lift a hand in violence, nor did we act outside the parameters of the law. Our only battleground is the courtroom, and it is in that arena that justice was rightfully secured,” it added.

CMU said that the court decision was not only a victory for CMU, but for every student, faculty, staff, and partners “who believe in the sanctity of education and the rightful stewardship of public land.”

“Dili gyud ni siya madaog sa bayolente nga pamaagi sa pagpalayas ug pagpang-harrass sa atoang mga kauban diha sa BTL ug MILFA. Karon kung mao na ang ilang pagtuo nga naa sila’y katungod nga natapakan always lang ta, ako lang i-guide ang public nga always ta mubalik before ni come up og desisyon nila ilang gi-istudyohan, ilang gi-evaluate ang pieces of evidence nga gipresentar,” CMU Spokesperson, Atty. James Violon, said.

Authorities said police presence will remain in the area until structures are dismantled and the land is cleared.