Zambalez gov denies ‘beach-grabbing’

IBA, Zambales — Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay denied yesterday published reports that he or his family are into land-grabbing activities in Barangay Lipay-Dingin in Iba town.

In a press statement, Magsaysay clarified that there was no land-grabbing or beach-grabbing as earlier reported by The STAR and other papers "because JessMag, Inc., the owner of said lands only acted to protect its properties from the continuing illegal squatting.

The reports said a relative of the governor, one Jess Magsaysay ordered the June 12 take-over of five beach resorts, namely: Sapphire, Villa San Miguel, Rose Ann, VV Golden, and Maligaya.

The governor showed newsmen copies of authenticated titles covering the questioned properties at Barangay Lipay-Dingin. The titles were issued in 19972, years before the present occupants entered the site.

Magsaysay also showed an affidavit certifying that the "illegal" occupants did not contest the ownership of the disputed property in any court, but surreptitiously and illegally entered the land without the prior consent of JessMag, the owner.

JessMag has filed a case against 20 squatters and asked the regional trial court to issue an order to all the defendants to vacate the parcels of land described in the complaint.

Reports said that a naval officer, identified only as a certain Captain Cortez, bought the rights to a beach property from one of the "squatters."

According to several barangay residents, Cortez sent some 20 navymen to Lipay-Dingin, from the town of San Antonio where the Naval Education and Training Center of the PN is located.

Sources said the navymen arrived in the area last week armed with high-caliber firearms, including a .50-caliber machinegun, and took combat positions near the gates of JessMag. — Bebot Sison Jr., Jen Belarmino