The local National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Palawan is seeking the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stop the resort operations of Ten Knots Philippines Inc. (TKPI), a unit of Ayala Land Inc., in El Nido.
This after NCIP-Palawan secured a cease and desist order for the disputed land claimed by the Tagbanua Tandulanen tribes.
The agency said it allowed several signages to be posted along the alleged properties covered by ancestral domains, mainly in Lio Estate, still being developed by Ayala Land and parcels of land were sold to investors.
A cease and desist order was issued to Ten Knots on March 7, but it was only served on May 5, according to NCIP.
Ayala Land developed its Lio Estate in El Nido town, which has its own airport. The closure of the airport, however, was deferred for public interest, the agency said.
“We wish to warn the public that there is an ongoing process on the subdivided lots being sold by TKPI. It would be best that the public wait for the termination of this process for their protection,” according to a statement released by Apo Rogelio Manlavi, on behalf of the tribe.
“We thank the NCIP and the local police for their understanding and cooperation, and we hope that this matter would be resolved soon with a view to preserving the ancestral lands of our forefathers for the benefit of future generation of our people. Development benefits from business proponents should never be at the expense of our cultural heritage and identity.”
The operation of TKPI, which involved the Lio Tourism Estate and El Nido Cove Resort in barangays Villa Libertad and Pasadena in El Nido, Palawan was questioned by the Tagbanuwa Tandulanen indigenous people’s community.
In a statement, TKPI said the ongoing developments on Lio Estate, including its exclusive airport, are all titled.
“TKPI was issued a Certificate of Non-Overlap by the NCIP stating that the initial phases of its Lio Estate project are not part of any ancestral domain,” the company said, adding that it is cooperating with the NCIP and submitted all the documents it required to resolve the issue.
“TKPI has been in El Nido for 43 years, delivering distinct experiences to its guests that have paved the way for responsible tourism as the brand of Palawan. TKPI’s recent real estate offerings are also the benchmark for sustainable estates in the country. TKPI has been recognized repeatedly for strong partnerships with its host communities over all those decades. We hope that this unfortunate event will not diminish the value that TKPI has been bringing to the municipality of El Nido and the province of Palawan.
Meanwhile, Maharani Apo Remedios Cabate-Cabral, Tagbanuwa tribe chief, said in a statement that the Tagbanuas have traced their roots in Palawan citing historical books and even local and international research.
“Our elders from the Tagbanua Tandulanen IP merely want what is due to our people—the right to be recognized as the guardian and custodian for future generations of our ancestral lands,” Cabral said.
Image credits: www.lio.ph