The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 11) and the Philippine Coast Guard Station-Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) debunked the allegations made by owners of Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort of forcible entry into their property.
Resort owners, on the other hand, stood pat in a statement that the unwelcome visitors came with menacing arms and scared tourists in the resort.
On Tuesday, environmental group Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM) issued a report online that a group they identify with DPWH along with what they claim as a Chinese national and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard.
SDM alleged that the group was “making a forceful entry to the Lucas property in Costa Marina.”
“On the allegations na dunay forcible entry, there was no forcible entry to begin with. Kay kung naay forcible entry, naay matawag nato na commotion. There was no commotion, in fact, after they docked (DPWH representatives) nakipag istorya pa sila sa resort owners and nag snacks pa sila then left,” said Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH 11, during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
According to Ortiz, the group went to the resort to inspect the area where the alignment of the landing platform of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project will be situated.
Ortiz explained that what happened was just inspection, validation, and meeting composed of composite team from the DPWH-UPMO, local government unit of Samal, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11).
“There was a meeting na naka set na. When they (group) arrive the owners were already there together with the LGU. They docked for a while and afterwards ni proceed sa dining area. There were no hostilities,” Ortiz said.
He also said the meeting between the LGU and the family was “pleasant.”
“They talked about the project but I don’t know about the details,” he added.
He also said that there was no forcible entry that happened because the area where they docked was a government property.
“Naay mga resorts na dili magpa dock sa ilang beachlines pero katong certain area sa property had no foreshore lease, no occupational fees since 2006, meaning walay matawag nato na forcible entry kay matawag nato to na neutral na part. That is a government property to begin with. So legal ang pag dock didto na lugar,” he said.
SIMPLE ESCORTS
Ortiz explained that they sought the assistance of the Philippines Coast Guard Station-IGaCoS to escort the team in their navigation.
“Based on the information I gathered we sought the assistance of the Coast Guard for assistance for navigation. Mura lang sila nag escort paadto sa Paradise Island,” he said.
OWNERS’ SIDE
In a statement, the Rodriguez-Lucas family stated that the “Chinese contractors were accompanied by several men who identified themselves as DPWH’s Joey Tulaylay and representatives from the CENRO Panabo City and DPWH Central Office.”
“The group illegally and surreptitiously entered through a part of the beach line not intended for entrance onboard a speedboat reportedly owned by a well-known politician. The unauthorized visitors proceeded to carry out work but stopped when they were questioned by the resort employees. This prompted them to ask to speak with the managers of the resorts. The armed escorts who looked menacing with their long firearms were requested to leave the property or deposit their firearms at the entrance to avoid scaring tourists and guests in Davao’s most popular family resort,” it said.
Ensign Vasit Venturillo, station commander of Philippines Coast Guard Station-IGaCoS, told media they assisted the group in crossing from Davao City to Samal Island as well as to provide safety on their navigation.
“Naay coordination sa amo ang DPWH 11 sa pagtabok nila sa Samal kay known ni nga area nga taas ug pila so they decided to rent a speedboat and normal namo ni na routine nga mag assist mi sa mga bisan kinsa na magpa assist,” Venturillo said.
Meanwhile, the Rodriguez-Lucas clan stressed through a statement, that they “were harassed and intimidated as Chinese contractors of the controversial project illegally entered their resort properties with armed men in tow alarming tourists and guests.”
“Project proponent Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently announced the ongoing completion of the project’s Detailed Engineering Design (DED) awarded to the China Road and Bridge Corporation. The DED requires the drilling of boreholes on the Samal beach resorts and the treasured and biologically rich Paradise Reef nestled in front of them,” it said.
The family stated that they asked the Chinese contractors about the permits and clearances for borehole drilling.
“None were produced. The resort manager explained that the foreshore areas were covered by subsisting foreshore lease agreements with the government. After a long discussion, the group of Chinese contractors and government personnel left in separate directions,” it said.
The landowners Rodriguez-Lucas clan reiterated they are supportive of the SIDC Project but they have called for its realignment and offered to donate to DPWH their Lumos beach property as an alternative landing site in Samal Island to save the Paradise Reef, which the family has preserved for almost a century.
The family also states that it is mulling filing charges of trespassing, coercion, and other criminal charges against DPWH and their escorts.
