Romualdez Ranch Threatened by Squatters

NAGA CITY (30 September) - - CARETAKERS OF THE 60-HECTARE Romualdez Ranch situated in barangays  Tambo and Del Rosario in Pamplona, Camarines Sur has sought police protection after illegal settlers had threatened with violence the ranch employees.

The Police Provincial Office (PPO) here reported that earlier, two ranch security guards of the SunStar Security Agency, a certain Rolly Arandia and Ading Padilla, were pelted with stones and hurled empty bottles by the squatters, prompting Arandia to fire his 12-gauge shotgun on the attackers.

Four of the settlers identified as Ronaldo and Dennis Tuyay, Romero Palomero, and Rommel Nobelo were treated for gunshot wounds at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC).

Police investigators reported the security guards were attacked by the squatters while a hired photographer was taking pictures of a concrete fence allegedly demolished by the squatters at the ranch.

Camarines Sur police office spokesman, SPO4 Romul0 Pabiano, said that Pamplona town Mayor Gemino Imperial had requested for police visibility at the vicinity of the Romualdez Ranch to prevent further altercations between the ranch employees and the squatters.

Pabiano revealed that the 60-hectare pasture land, reportedly owned by Avila Romualdez, a relative of former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, was a sequestered property during the Aquino Administration in 1986.

From 1987 to 2001, portions of the ranch were occupied by combat battalions of the Philippine Army and later made to a battalion headquarters.

During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the sequestered land was returned to the Romualdez clan, but retired army personnel from previous battalions stationed in the area had settled illegally at the ranch, putting-up sari-sari stores, vulcanizing shop, and even small eateries along the Maharlika Highway-side of the ranch.

Currently, more than 30 house-holds have illegally settled at the Romualdez property. (SONNY SALES)