Masungi Georeserve standoff ends

MANILA, Philippines — After a two-week standoff, the security guards who occupied an area at the Masungi conservation site in Tanay, Rizal have left.

The security guards of  Sinagtala Security Agency, who camped out along the Marikina-Infanta highway in Barangay Cuyambay, vacated the area before a team of government officials arrived for an inspection yesterday.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., who was accompanied by officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine National Police (PNP), was supposed to lead negotiations for the security guards to leave the property.

He warned security agencies against deploying armed personnel in disputed properties.

”Hindi kayo pwedeng pumasok sa isang lugar. Kailangan nyo ng permit ng chief of police kung ang isang lugar ay may contesting  claims,” Abalos said.

He said he ordered an investigation of Sinagtala Security Agency.

The Masungi Georeserve administration said up to 30 armed men had camped out in a portion of the conservation site since last week.

Tanay police chief Lt. Col. Rodolfo Santiago II said the security guards voluntarily left to avoid violence.

“Ayon sa kanila, nagtatrabaho lang sila. Ayaw po nila ng kaguluhan kaya voluntary na silang umalis,” he told reporters in an interview.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered sustained police presence by putting up a detachment at Masungi Georeserve to prevent a similar incident.

“Our security is tight. We are constantly coordinating with the DENR and local government unit,” he said in a statement.

Azurin said an investigation is underway to determine any possible violation by the group responsible for the deployment of the security guards in the area.

The PNP said it would look into allegations that an active police general has put up resorts at the conservation site.

Ben Dumaliang, Masungi Georeserve Foundation president, claimed during the inspection that Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, former Quezon City Police District head, has several resorts in the protected area.

Azurin said the PNP would look into the matter even as he appealed to Dumaliang to provide probers more information.

“We will investigate, but we need the cooperation of the complainant for this case to prosper,” he said.

DENR guidance

Meanwhile, Abalos said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would wait for the guidance of the DENR and local courts on the property dispute.

“It is the task of the DENR to make sure na yung pumuwesto na illegal ay mapatanggal na at mademanda. They are the proper authority to  do so because sila ang stewards nito,” he said.

Abalos said the DILG would not tolerate any illegal construction at the conservation site. – Romina Cabrera