Mendiola said the Office of the Governor already responded to his demand after he threatened to close the “main artery” on Rota over the government’s failure to compensate his family for using their property.
The governor’s office, he said, assured him that it will get an appraiser to assess the value of the property.
Their family’s complaint was already referred to the Department of Public Lands for immediate action, he added.
However, Mendiola said he was not pleased with the governor’s office for warning him that it will resort to legal action if he closes the road.
Mendiola, the son of Santiago A. Mendiola, one of the biggest landowners in Rota, said he is pursuing the case against the government “to protect my children.”
“The government is taking away our heritage,” he said.
Rota Municipal Council Secretary Vicente M. Calvo said there would be a disruption in the delivery of basic services on their island once the Gaonan Estate is closed.
He said the road is considered as the main entry point of farmers, ranchers, tourists and Rota residents.
Godfrey Mendiola reiterated that he will file a lawsuit against the government if the 40-hectare land issue is not resolved.
The Mendiola heirs oppose the exchange of the Agusan/Swimming Hole property without an appraisal and fair compensation for “punitive damages, back-pay, interests, mental anguish and economic loss.”
Godfrey Mendiola said the government trespassed on their ancestral property when it executed a lease for Rota Resort’s golf course “without my consent or approval.”
