Boracay conflagration sparks land disputes

Echoes From

BY JOHNNY DAYANG

The recent fire that gutted a popular “Talipapa” and properties belonging to claimants of disputed lands in Boracay Island may spark a wider investigation as to the legitimacy of their ownership by some families and other parties.

The heirs of the late Engracia Señeres who claim to have been deprived of their legitimate property allegedly by the heirs of Ciriaco Tirol, have sought the intercession of proper authorities, and prompt action from the municipal assessor of Malay, Aklan.

 

Señeres heirs – the great grandchildren of Engracia, said they had been occupying the disputed parcel of land until June 17, 2015 when fire of suspicious origin razed the area down and other neighboring properties.

Emelda Cruz, Edward Tumbagahan, Myro Cawaling, Hydee Casimiro, Manuelito Roldan, Norma Alomajan, and Vicente Cruz, who claim to be heirs of Engracia Señeres, told Panay News that right after the fire broke out, unidentified armed men alledgely working for the Tirol family fenced off a portion of the land that included theirs. They claimed that armed men forced them out of their property.

Señeres heirs said, they have sought police assistance but were told the police cannot intervene in property disputes.

Oldest document available on the disputed estate, according to the heirs of Engracia Señeres, is the 1914 Tax Declaration of Toribio Gelito which specifically and clearly cited and delineated the boundaries surrounding the property as those of Engracia Señeres on the south, Ciriaco Tirol on the west, and Efifanio Gelito on the north.

This land dispute between the heirs of Engracia Señeres and the heirs of Ciriaco Tirol may trigger the opening of numerous cases of land ownership claims which are certain to affect investments and development in the premier tourism island. 

The need for government authorities to make decisive intervention and action on lands and land disputed in Boracay has long been felt. Such action is deemed imperative to prevent further bloody conflicts. Hopefully, the intervention will not be colored by politics and by trivial considerations.

Pelayo, a civic leader and former president of the Aklan Press Club, said injustice is being committed against legitimate owners of lands in Boracay. He claims that he himself and members of his family who are legitimate heirs to the parcels of land owned by their ancestors have been deprived. (Tempo)