Personnel of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation in Tanay, Rizal have called the attention of the national and local governments after it spotted several armed men encamped within the conservation site since Sept. 3.
In its Facebook post, the foundation identified the armed personnel as members of Sinagtala Security Service who are feared to be planning to take over a huge portion of land in the protected area.
"The group is flagrantly violating Articles ( n ) and (o) of Section 20 of RA 7586 (NIPAS Law) as amended by RA 11038, as well as trespassing and conducting forcible entry in broad daylight along a national highway," it added.
The foundation explained that the area is part of Masungi’s conservation site, the Kaliwa Watershed protected area, and is legally titled to the Republic of the Philippines since the 1950’s. It is being conserved and reforested by their team under an agreement with government.
During the group's dialogue with the armed personnel, they claim they are holding a survey plan named after a certain individual, which is signed by a director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office in early 2000’s.
"Obviously, a mere survey plan is not a proof of ownership," the group said.
Meanwhile, a certain Major Laino/Layno belonging to the group of Sinagtala said that he has a title for the land.
"When asked to show this title, he failed to show anything. He also denies knowing any of the 30 people on the illegal encampment despite some of them saying that they are working for him. He claims to be a retired military official," the foundation said.
The group became more suspicious as "they (armed men) also refused to disclose any details such as their names and contact details so that we might check the legitimacy of their claims and arrangements."
"If this is not shady business, there is no need to obstruct the verification process by withholding even basic information and avoiding accountability," the group said.
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation called on Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take immediate action regarding the incident.
"This is a critical area for the wildlife sanctuary and the consequences of losing this area once again will set back forest protection and be a huge injustice to Filipinos," the group stressed.
On Monday, operatives from the regional police unit went to the area to investigate the incident. They confiscated several firearms belonging to the armed men due to lack of proper documents and licenses. However, no one has been arrested, said the foundation.
"UPDATE: The armed group has not been arrested despite the discovery of illegal firearms," the foundation said in its Facebook post.
"Illegal firearms from invading armed group are being confiscated by a regional police unit. Unlicensed firearms are punishable by the law and we are awaiting arrest of these people," it added.
Still awaiting action
In a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the foundation said that the armed group is still encamped in the area, and slammed the police's alleged downplaying of the incident.
"An earlier statement by the provincial police seemed to downplay the incident and frame it as a common ‘land dispute’. However, at around 2:00 pm on September 19, another police unit found and confiscated several unlicensed firearms inside the camp of the invaders. This was witnessed by our team members and cannot be denied or covered up. For reasons still unknown, the invaders were not arrested for illegal possession of firearms for possessing and brandishing unlicensed firearms. At this moment, they remain encamped on Km 48," the foundation said.
"We therefore appeal to President Bong Bong Marcos, together with DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, and PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to look closely into this matter and help us through the following reliefs:
1. Immediate arrest, prosecution, and removal of the invaders for trespassing, forcible entry, illegal possession of firearms, and violations of the NIPAS Law. Let us be clear: This is not a land dispute but a typical professional squatting and land grabbing operation on no less than government property;
2. The DENR must assign a competent, trustworthy, and passionate Project Manager from its end to help us resolve the persistent challenges in conserving the Masungi landscape in a sustainable manner;
3. We acknowledge the DENR’s statement echoing our stance that a survey plan, whether signed by a DENR official or not, is not a proof of land ownership. However, the DENR must also crack down on possible anomalous acts, prosecute those responsible, and cancel these spurious instruments.
There should be a thorough and independent investigation of why a survey plan was signed by a DENR Regional Director in the first place even if the land was already titled to the Republic."
The foundation noted that they have also uncovered many similar survey instruments being used to sell the protected areas and forest lands.
"We have observed that many of these instruments have been issued in direct contravention of standing presidential proclamations and department orders," the foundation said.
"Unfortunately, these survey plans are being used to imply ownership and illegally occupy and trade lands. In this particular case, the land grabber’s signature — not that of the real owner which is the Republic — appears in a box reserved for the landowner," it added.
"We reiterate that we are a key ally of the government in protecting our natural resources in this singular ecosystem and wildlife sanctuary. We should be working together with one line of sight and a common goal to fearlessly stop environmental crimes especially in the light of the climate emergency. We remain alert and ask for the public's vigilance to stop any attempt to encroach on protected areas and diminish our already abused forest lands," the foundation said.