There are more than five hundred illegal settlers in the jurisdiction of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), according to IPPF spokesperson, Corrections Technical Officer (CTO) II Levi Evangelista. The recent case is in Kilometer 40, Sitio Tacduan, Brgy. Inagawan which they discovered while on their way to Bgy. Inagawan for a mission.
“On the way, may nakita kaming dalawang sasakyan na naka-park doon sa gilid. So, since hindi naman talaga ‘yon ‘yong mission namin, dumiretso muna kami ni Superintendent, mayroon kaming Oplan Galugad doon. Pagbalik namin, naandoon pa rin ang mga saksakyan, so, hinintuan na namin at kinausap [sila],” he said.
That was the first time they encountered the individuals. For humanitarian reasons, since the City of Puerto Princesa was first placed under MECQ since June 1-15, they gave the individulas 15 days to vacate and self-demolish their three temporary shanties.
“Nagtayo sila ng mini-kubo roon. Nangingisda sila, hindi naman sila nagkakaingin, though may nilinis silang maliit na part doon sa surroundings na tinitirhan nila na temporary shelter. Pero still, hindi naman natin pwedeng i-tolerate ang gano’n kasi later on, tatawagin na nila ‘yong lahat ng mga kamag-anak nila. Actually, mga magkakamag-anak ang mga naroon,” Evangelista said.
But to their surprise, when they came back last June 16, the families were still occupying the area despite the Notice to Vacate.
“Kaya lang, pagbalik ng ating operatives ay nandoon pa rin ang mga temporary shelters nila. Ang naging usapan kasi i-self demolish na lang nila. Maganda naman ‘yong ating pakikipag-usap sa kanila, in a humanitarian way naman pero based sa napagkasunduan ay hindi sila tumupad,” he said.
And since they did not follow the order, once again, the officers told them to vacate the place. The IPPF operatives also closed the main entrance.
The officers also asked the individulas to heed the order so that they will not face charges in court.
Despite of the violation, Evangelista reiterated that during this time of pandemic, they give humanitarian consideration to involved individuals by giving them enough time to leave the area.
‘WE DON’T BELIEVE THEY’RE POOR’
CTOII Evangelista added that they do not believe that the individuals encroaching the Iwahig area are poor.
He disclosed that the people behind the recent illegal occupation in Tacduan even have cars.
“Parang Hilander, medyo kalumaan na pero imagine, dalawang sasakyan! Nakausap natin ang mga ito, taga-bayan sila. Hindi lang tayo sure kung saang barangay ang mga ito [galing],” he said.
He divulged that the modus operandi of illegal settlers is they will build temporary shelters in a certain place. Later on, they will enjoin their kins to join them and claim their respective lands. After this, they will cut trees, and do slash-and-burn and other illegal activities, even to the point of selling the lands.
“Allegedly, nagkakaroon na ng bentahan ng mga lupa riyan na pagmamay-ari ng Iwahig. Ito namang bumibili na ito, alam naman nila na wala namang hinahawakang papel, allegedly, binibili nila sa paniniwalaang rights,” he exclaimed.
“Stage by stage, ganoon ang strategy nila. So, that’s why, bago pa maging problema natin ‘yan ay inaagapan natin. Hindi lang natin makontrol sa dami nila.”
With the IPPF’s AOR covering 28,000 hectares and lack of personnel, officials admit that preventing illegal settlers remain a challenge. But they will continue to safeguard the area against illegal settlers while upholding their mandate as correction officers.
“Nonetheless, since this is our territory, hindi natin ito pinapabayaan. Marami pa ‘yan, even in Montible area, marami pa ring mga squatters diyan pero patuloy ang ating pakikipag-usap sa kanila, pagmo-monitor na ito ay hindi na madagdagan. Ngayong situation na pandemic nga ay sinasamantala naman nila but then continuous ang ating monitoring and patrolling,” the officer further stated.
Yesterday, the IPPF officers and the Katala foundation personnel conducted a patrol inside the Montible area in order to monitor for possible encroachment, illegal logging and the slash-and-burn (kaingin) activities.