MASUNGI Georeserve yesterday asked President Marcos Jr. and other government officials to cause the arrest of security guards who remain encamped at the vicinity of the protected area, allegedly planning to take over portions of the government property.
“At this moment, they remain encamped on Km 48,” said Masungi in a statement posted on its Facebook page, referring to the security guards from Sinagtala security agency.
On Monday afternoon, Masungi reported that policemen from the Calabarzon regional police office seized unlicensed firearms from the security guards, but no one was arrested.
“For reasons still unknown, the invaders were not arrested for illegal possession of firearms, for possessing and brandishing unlicensed firearms,” Masungi said.
It appealed to President Marcos Jr, Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr “to look closely into this matter and help us through the following reliefs.”
“Immediate arrest, prosecution, and removal of the invaders for trespassing, forcible entry, illegal possession of firearms, and violations of the NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Areas Systems) 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,” Masungi said on the first relief that should be taken.
It said the DENR must also “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.”
On the last and third relief, Masungi said: “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.”
Sinagtala personnel have claimed they have a survey plan under the name of one Beatriz Sonquipal that was reportedly signed by the DENR regional office in the early 2000s.
“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,” it said.
Masungi said this was not an isolated case, noting that it has uncovered similar survey instruments that are used to sell 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,” it 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,” Masungi also said.
