By Matthew Go
The dispute over Bugsuk Island escalated as indigenous leaders and residents of Sitio Mariahangin responded to subpoenas accusing them of grave coercion, according to local reports and officials.
The subpoenas, filed by Atty. Caesar Ortega, former executive director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), alleged that residents blocked boats from landing on the island during a June 27 incident. Ortega, representing landowners on Bugsuk Island, filed the charges after he and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) representatives were reportedly prevented from accessing the area.
The initial subpoena was issued to indigenous leader Eusebio Pelayo in November, requiring a response by December 4. Pelayo had recently participated in a hunger strike outside the DAR office in Quezon City, demanding the reinstatement of a Notice of Coverage under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to support the residents’ ancestral domain claims.
On December 17, additional subpoenas were issued to seven other residents, including Marilyn Pelayo, Tarhata Pelayo, Saloma Eden, Jun Eden, Danilo Pelayo, Angelica Nasiron, and Oscar Pelayo Jr. Nasiron, a member of the Molbog indigenous tribe, and Pelayo Jr. expressed frustration over the challenges of traveling from Balabac to Puerto Princesa to respond to the charges. They said the accusations were a form of retaliation for their involvement in the SAMBILOG Balik Bugsuk Movement (SBBM), which seeks recognition of Bugsuk Island as ancestral domain.
Bugsuk Island has been at the center of a long-running land conflict dating back to 1974, when the area was granted to Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. during Martial Law. A 5,567.54-hectare resort is currently being developed by Bricktree Properties, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC). Jewelmer Corporation, which has operated a pearl farm in the area since 1979, has restricted fishing and diving in its zones, limiting access for indigenous residents.
Residents plan to submit counter-affidavits by December 27 and have announced a non-violent protest in January 2025 to continue advocating for their land rights.