Since the earliest years of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, Spain used the encomienda as a system designed to help Spain govern and exploit the Filipinos. While the encomienda did not grant ownership of land to the encomenderos, who were mostly powerful colonial officials, in practice it often functioned like land grabbing because the encomenderos effectively controlled an entire vast tract of land, including the people’s harvests and other agricultural products. Simply put, the encomienda was a precursor to land grabbing.
I still remember a Filipino history teacher in high school gave an anecdote that an encomendero was said to claim as his domain a swath of land that stretched as far as his eyes could see.
This state-led land grabs have now been replaced by Filipino politicians using their political power to manipulate existing land laws, conniving with government land agencies to obtain fake land titles. Some would use intimidation and threats utilizing police and para-military units to harass the people and violently evict them. These politicians in many cases belong to political dynasties.
It is against this backdrop that the land struggles in Siruma are unfolding.
Land grabbing in Siruma
Siruma, a coastal town that is around 70 kilometers away from Naga City, is known as the “Little Batanes of Camarines Sur.” It has become a tourist attraction because of its rolling hills, scenic landscapes, pristine white sand beaches like the Takal Beach, and other attractions like the Daldagon Peak overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Miguel Bay.
In a privilege speech delivered by Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnie Fuentebella last February, he reported that unidentified men wearing masks had begun erecting fences across a 300-hectare area in Barangay San Ramon and Daldagon Peak. The fence perimeter, he added, extended into the vicinity of Barangay Salvacion.
The fenced area is approximately 1,014 hectares covered by the Navarro Title that was reportedly transferred to Wanderlust Land Development Corporation (WLDC). LRay Villafuerte, the current governor of Camarines Sur, has publicly acknowledged in his interview with DZMM that WLDC is owned by the Villafuerte family.
This alleged land-grabbing incident was affirmed by Randall Dagooc, a son of Siruma, who recalled its occurrence in his remarks during the EDSA 40th anniversary celebration with the words:
Sa mga nakaraang buwan, sinimulan ang pagbabakod ng mahigit 1,014 hectares ng lupa sa San Ramon, Siruma at mga karatig pook…At ang mas mabigat sa lahat, ang operasyong ito ay inuugnay sa kapangyarihan at impluwensya ng isang nakaupong gobernador.
— Randall Dagooc
LRay Villafuerte, who belongs to the powerful Villafuerte clan that has controlled Camarines Sur politically for nearly three decades now, is no stranger to controversy. Two issues drew significant public attention in the recent past: his disqualification from the prestigious Mango Tee member–guest tournament at Alabang Gold and Country Club for alleged cheating, although he denied it and stated he would return the trophy; and his clash last year with the staff of The Spark, a student publication of Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, because it published a mock election result showing him trailing another candidate. The controversy raised concern about political pressure on student journalism.
On a more personal note, a cousin who previously worked at the provincial capitol in Pili was reassigned to the remote municipality of Siruma for more than four years – separated from his family – because my cousin’s father’s political party mates refused to join forces with their rival group supported by LRay.
According to my cousin, it was LRay who influenced his son Migz Villafuerte, then the governor, to reassign him to Siruma and require him to perform tasks outside his official job description, a move that effectively amounted to constructive dismissal. The unjust treatment my cousin endured ultimately led him to resign after close to 28 years of government service.
To this day, my cousin’s clearance from accountabilities has not been signed yet by the governor, since he resigned almost five years ago. As a result, my cousin remains unable to apply for benefits from GSIS or PAG-IBIG.
This time, LRay is embroiled in yet another dispute, related to the Siruma land-grabbing scheme.
Given that the 1,014 hectares claimed by WLDC includes timberland areas owned by the state, agricultural lands of private ownership as well as portion of the sea, as Fuentebella mentioned in his privilege speech, the central questions on everyone’s mind are: How can an individual assert ownership over timberland areas that are, by law, owned by the State? By what means was a title issued in the name of WLDC? And were any government land agencies involved in the process of securing and approving the title?
People’s response
Fr. Nelson Garcia, who was assigned as parish priest in Siruma from 1976-1982, portrays the people of Siruma as family-oriented, deeply religious, and living a simple life. Their livelihood is sustained primarily through traditional fishing.
Upon learning about the land-grabbing scheme in Siruma, Fr. Garcia found the matter deeply troubling. He said, “I feel disheartened. The people of San Ramon and Salvacion have lived on those lands [for many years] and their voices should be heard and listened to.”
Fr. Garcia is correct that the people of Siruma should be listened to. For the people, their land is far more than a piece of property. It is an essential part of their life and identity. It also carries the memory of their ancestors who handed it to them to cultivate, protect, and support them. In essence, their land is central to their existence, and no one has the right to take it from them through illegal or coercive means.
Based on reports circulating on social media, the people have expressed deep frustration and public outrage, stating that their primary sources of livelihood – particularly farming and fishing grounds – are being threatened. They have begun organizing protest actions and voicing their concerns online to gain support.
They are also calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, demanding accountability of those involved.
Dagooc and his partner, Diana Cecilia Triviño, a Bikolana lawyer, remain steadfast in defending what rightfully belongs to the people of Siruma. They are determined to stand with the community despite the risks involved. He said in Tagalog:
Hindi kami lumalabaan dahil gusto namin ng gulo. Lumalaban kami dahil mahal namin ang aming tahanan. Lumalaban kami dahil naniniwala kami sa batas. Lumalaban kami dahil naniniwala kami na walang sinuman, gaano man kalakas, ang may karapatang kunin ang kinabukasan ng isang komunidad. Ang laban ng San Ramon, Siruma ay hindi lamang laban ng isang maliit na barangay. Ito ay laban ng bawat Pilipino na naniniwala sa hustisya, dignidad, at karapatan.
— Randall Dagooc
The header image features photos posted on FB by Randall Dagooc to call the public’s attention to the extensive fencing work being done by unidentified men around Brgy. San Ramon and the subsequent protest march led by its residents.
A film was produced by Randall Dagooc and “created by artist friends who generously and voluntarily offered their time, talent, and creativity so that the story of the people of Siruma will be seen and heard.” Click this link to view the documentary.
About the author
GREG S. CASTILLA, one of the co-founders of Dateline Ibalon, is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University. He was a recipient of the U.S. Department of Education Bilingual Fellowship Program at the University of Washington, where he earned a Ph.D. in multicultural education. He taught multicultural studies in several colleges and universities in Seattle as an adjunct faculty and authored eight books, the last of which is Magis: Things That Matter Most in Life (2021). He is a doting grandfather to his five grandchildren, and thanks his wife and children for what he has become.