An official of Barangay Mambuaya, Cagayan de Oro City has maintained that the demolition of more than 200 houses built on a property is legal.

More than a week after the tension erupted when the demolition was supposed to be carried out, Barangay chairman Philip Porras said the notice to vacate issued to the residents affected was lawful.

The commotion was placed under control quickly by the police, and the demolition was halted eventually by the local government pending a dialogue.

Porras explained that the eviction notice was based on City Ordinance 4373-94, also known as the Building Code.

He said the houses built on the Lozada property did not have building permits, which is why they are subject to demolition.

“Tungod lage aning balaod nga nakita nato nga applicable ani nga ordinance mao gi apply nako. Illegal structures and then sa building permit naa man gyud tay gikan sa OBO maoy atong gibasehan,” Porras said.

The barangay official added that the property has a legitimate owner and that since November 2025, the landowner had already been coordinating with the barangay because the family intended to use the land.

Porras said the Lozada family had offered a relocation site where affected residents would each be given a 40-square-meter lot. However, some residents allegedly refused the offer.

“I-relocate namo sila tagaan pa namo sila ug cash assistance ug materyales mag andam pami ug sakyanan kay kung mag boluntaryo sila pagguba kami pa maghakot paingon sa relocation site,” Porras said.

Porras also denied allegations that he had been paid by individuals seeking to claim ownership of the land.

Instead, he said he possess documents proving that some of the occupants of the property were the ones selling portions of the land.

“Mismo ako nangutana pila gyud inyo palit ana katong dako nga balay ingon siya 200 thousand kinsa man inyo gipalitan ang magulang ni Domingga katong babae nga sige pa interview,” Porras said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to Domingga Macana, the president of the Hiduma Tribal Association.

For now, the residents remain in the area while the local government is set to meet with the land claimant.