Farmers in Barangay Anunas, Pampanga, face the distressing reality of losing their hard-earned land to a developer, despite paying for agrarian reform lots. The Pangilinan family, deeply rooted in their farming traditions, received their Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) in 1998.
Their toil on the five-hectare plot came to fruition when they fully paid the agrarian mortgage in 2017. However, their dreams were shattered in 2020 when they discovered that their CLOAs had been annulled by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The disputed land, sprawling over 73 hectares, has become a battleground, with Clarkhills Properties Corporation laying claim to it. The area, home to approximately 2,000 residents, encompasses agricultural plots and residential properties. Violent demolitions have ensued, with residents fiercely defending their homes against demolition teams.
Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has stepped in, appealing for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intervention and proposing the expropriation of the disputed land to safeguard the residents from displacement. He has also extended an offer to purchase the occupied property under the city’s socialized housing project.
The cancellation of the CLOAs stemmed from the land’s classification as residential, despite falling under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Legal battles ensued, with the Supreme Court ultimately upholding the cancellation in 2001. Lawyer Dairen Canlas now represents the affected farmers, striving to reconstruct records and secure justice for displaced families.
Simultaneously, violent confrontations have erupted as residents fiercely resist demolition attempts. On October 16, 2023, clashes erupted, leading to barricades being burned and properties demolished under police escort. The tension escalated on February 8, 2024, in Sitio Balubad, Brgy Anunas, with residents confronting demolition teams, resulting in injuries and chaos.
Approximately 500 tenants face eviction from the contested land following the annulment of their CLOAs, now sold to Clarkhills Properties Corporation. Despite condemnation from the City Government of Angeles, demolitions persist, defying agreements between the developer and local authorities.
As tensions persist, the City Government of Angeles has begun efforts to identify legitimate tenants for support and assistance. The residents’ fight for justice and a clear relocation plan echo amidst the chaos, highlighting their unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 13, 2024
