PNP defuses tension in Pampanga demolition

Armed assailants targeted police officers in a recent demolition operation in Sitio Balubad, Barangay Anunas, Angeles City, Pampanga as authorities intervened to maintain peace in a long-standing conflict between developers and alleged farmers over land ownership.

According to the Philippine National Police, armed individuals opened fire on the police, resulting in injuries to several officers. The attack occurred during a demolition operation aimed at clearing the area, which has been the subject of dispute for years.

“In this operation, the demolition team was not authorized to carry firearms. We were operating under a writ of demolition and were committed to carrying out our duties within the bounds of the law,” said Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Sheriff Beth Marasigan.

“The legal owners of the land and the farmers had previously agreed the current residents would self-demolish. Unfortunately, the farmers did not abide by this agreement, so we have to carry out a legal demolition,” she continued.

This clash adds another layer to the ongoing dispute over land ownership in Sitio Balubad. The conflict dates back to 1998 when the government issued Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to purported farmers in the area as part of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, on the condition that the land will be used for farming.

However, it was later revealed that the intended beneficiaries had sold their allotted land to affluent buyers, leading to its conversion into a lucrative residential hub.

The Supreme Court intervened in the matter, nullifying the CLOAs due to the breach by the beneficiaries. Subsequently, the site was reclassified as a residential area. In 2020, developer Clarkhills legally acquired ownership of the land, triggering resistance from entrenched
homeowners.

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