Over 100 homes were demolished by authorities in Barangay Taltal, Masinloc, Zambales on June 19, displacing around 100 families of farmers and fishermen and leading to the arrest of five civilians.
The detainees were identified as Neil Edward Geroca, spokesperson of Samahang Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Barangay Taltal (SAMMBAT); Claire Elfalan, SAMMBAT secretary; and members Alex Mose, Elmer Madarang, and Elmer Nollas.
They were charged with direct assault, physical injury, obstruction of justice, and disobedience and resistance, with bail set at P50,000 each by the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Iba, Zambales, in an inquest held on June 21.
Sheriff Roy Mendones, under the Regional Trial Court of Iba, led the demolition with aid from around 50 police officers from the Masinloc Municipal Police Station.
Destruction of houses reportedly began after 13 leaders of the SAMMBAT refused a bribe of P31,000 each in exchange for cooperating with a demolition affecting 32 hectares of farmland in Sitio Togue.
“Winasak na ang bahay, sinira na ang pananim, ninakawan na, nanakit pa. Miski mga babae naming kasama at mga matatanda, sinaktan niyo! Tinutukan niyo pa ng baril ang mga bata!” SAMMBAT recounted in a Facebook post.
The local farmer-fisherfolk group further shared that after the demolition, no compensation nor reallocation was given to them by the local government of Masinloc.
“Inalisan na kami ng tirahan, lupa, at kabuhayan, saan tutungo ang anak pawis na tulad namin? Walang kumpensasyon, walang relokasyon na alok, demolish na agad,” they stated.
Ara Mercurio, one of the displaced residents, also confirmed that no prior notice was given before the incident.
“Wala po kaming notice na ide-demolish na kami. Nagulat nalang po kami na nandiyan na ‘yung mga tropa ng kapulisan,” she stated in an interview with K5 News FM.
“‘Yun nga po ang masaklap doon. Wala po talagang tumulong sa amin kahit isang opisyales,” Mercurio added, referring to the lack of response by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
According to SAMBATT Public Information Officer Syrel Edu, the contested 32-hectare land is part of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), with DAR already promising to allocate it to beneficiaries.
However, private developer Perpetou Yap filed a petition to exempt the land from CARP coverage, claiming it was “rocky” and “hilly,” which led DAR to declare it “not suitable for agriculture.”
In response, SAMMBAT filed a petition for revocation before the DAR Central Office in Quezon City, asserting that the land had long served as a vital source of livelihood for local farmers.
“Bukod sa aming ligal na batayan para manatili sa lupa, malakas din ang aming istorikal na karapatan dito dahil dekada ‘40 pa lamang ay dito na naninirahan ang aming mga ninuno – na sila ring naglinang at nagpaunlad ng lupa para sa buong komunidad,” SAMMBAT member Rocky Quilon stated.
They also held protests in front of the central office from March 24 to 28, which led to the release of a Certificate of Pendency and a positive signal from Undersecretary Napoleon Galit on their petition.
But on May 19, despite these certifications and the pending petition, the Masinloc-Palauig Municipal Trial Court ruled against SAMMBAT and gave them 15 days to leave the land, enforced by Sheriff Mendones.
SAMMBAT then appealed to the governor’s office and continued their protest until the notice expired on June 19.
Several progressive groups have condemned the demolition including Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), which called out the “gross violation of human rights” minority groups continue to face in the country.
“Instead of receiving protection and support, they are criminalized for defending their right to land, shelter, and survival,” the KMP stated in a news release.
Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) pointed that Masinloc fisherfolks’ jobs are being taken away both in land and water, following the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“Sadyang hindi katanggap-tanggap na ang parehong mga mangingisda na itinataboy ng mga dayuhan sa ating pangisdaan, ay sila ngayong inaagawan ng lupa,” said PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando Hicap.
Joy Paragas, secretary general of Barangay Anunas Home Owners in Angeles City, also expressed their support to the residents of Barangay Taltal, having also experienced violent demolition back in March 2024.
“Hindi naman [kriminal] ang mga magsasakang ipinagtatanggol ang lupang ibinubungkal nila,” she said.
Paragas also called the attention of the national government, highlighting the systemic issue faced by peasants across the country who “simply wants to live morally.”
“‘Yung paulit-ulit na nagiging scenario sa iba’t ibang lugar, hindi po ba nababahala ang mga nanunungkulan, lalo na ang ating presidente? Na halos lahat ng magsasaka, iisa ang iniiyak, Iisa ang gusto: na bakit hindi pagtuunan ng pansin ‘yung mga nangyayari sa mga farm lot ng mga katulad namin,” she stated.
“Saan ba pupulutin yung taong katulad namin, na mahihirap, na ang gusto lang naman ay makapamuhay nang maayos at hindi manlamang ng kapwa-tao?” Paragas added.
