Private land turned into cemetery

1 month ago 25

CEBU CITY — Poro Mayor Edgar Rama and several municipal officials are facing legal action for allegedly converting private land into a public cemetery without the owner's consent.

The disputed 13,008-square-meter property in Barangay Paz, Poro town, Camotes Group of Islands, Cebu is owned by RMD Agricultural Development Inc., led by Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon Durano III.

A survey revealed that 6,767 square meters of the land had been used for burials.

RMD Agricultural said the municipal government began using the land for mass burials during the Covid-19 pandemic and later expanded it into a public cemetery.

The company, however, discovered the unauthorized use of the land only in December 2024.

On Jan. 31, 2025, Durano filed multiple lawsuits against Rama, the municipal government of Poro and other officials, seeking property recovery, an injunction, an inventory, and damages.

According to the complaint, the municipal government collected over P5 million in burial fees but did not compensate the landowners.

The complaint alleges that Rama signed burial permits while Municipal Cemetery administrator Val Ryan Rosauro III and coordinator Pablito Garciano facilitated the transactions, which required payments through the treasurer's office.

Durano and Shem Lucero, a resident whose late wife was buried in the disputed land, asked the court to stop the municipality from collecting burial fees without legal authority.

They also claimed that families had been misled into believing the local government had the right to use the property.

"Naguol, nahadlok ug nabalaka mi para sa among mga mahal sa kinabuhi nga posibleng ma-displace tungod gilubong sa maong luna. Pero mapasalamaton mi nga naay katin-awan ang tanan (We were worried, scared, and anxious for our loved ones who might be displaced because they were buried on that land. But we are grateful that the truth has come to light)," Lucero said.

On Feb. 5, 2025, Ramon "Red" Durano IV addressed public concerns in a Facebook video, denying claims that RMD Agricultural Development Inc. planned to reclaim the land where the deceased were buried.

"This situation has put RMD Corp. in a difficult position. RMD was established by my grandfather, Ramon Mercado Durano Sr., to manage our landholdings in Camotes," he said.

After learning about the issue, he informed the company's board and sent a formal letter to Rama requesting legal documents proving the land's authorization as a public cemetery.

However, he found the mayor's response unsatisfactory.

He said that their property in Santa Rosa (Paz) covered about 1.3 hectares, with nearly 7,000 square meters already used for burials, meaning almost half of the land had been taken.

Red also questioned whether Rama had legal authorization to convert the property into a cemetery.

Red claimed that Rama initially denied knowledge of the cemetery's use but promised to investigate and cooperate. However, he alleged that Rama later discouraged residents from attending a public hearing on the issue.

Despite this, many families participated in the consultation.

Instead of reclaiming the land, RMD Agricultural Development Inc. chose to donate the 6,767-square-meter portion directly to the affected families rather than to the barangay or municipality.

Red clarified that the legal case also includes a claim for damages.

If the municipality compensates RMD Agricultural, the company plans to either return the funds to the families or use them to improve the cemetery.

He said that the case is about legal procedures and property rights, not financial gain.

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