Fisherfolk groups have decried alleged land grabbing and harassment in Sorsogon province by a company owned by Agri Party-list Representative and senatorial candidate Wilbert Lee.
According to Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a coalition of local fisherfolk and environmental groups, the alleged incidents include the destruction of community property and threats to residents.
The Save Gubat Bay Movement (SGBM), a network of fishers groups in Sorsogon, reported on Oct. 31 that personnel from Lee’s LKY Group of Companies dismantled the fence of a communal garden used by fisherfolk and residents of Cogon village.
The same personnel reportedly threatened to kill two residents, Asuncion Rosal and Rosana Almenie, while they were gathering firewood, allegedly brandishing a machete during the encounter. Rosal and Almenie managed to escape the altercation, according to the group.
SGBM and affiliated groups such as the Cota na Dako Crablet Workers, Sorsogon King Crab Raisers Association Inc., and Samahan Alay sa Kalikasan Kooperatiba claim the LKY Group is asserting ownership over more than 2.5 hectares of land within the fishing village, a claim the residents contest.
In a statement, Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo condemned the incident, calling it a grave disturbance to a community commemorating the All Saints’ Day holiday.
“While everyone was peacefully remembering their deceased loved ones on November 1, the people of Wilbert Lee threatened the fisherfolk and residents of a community in Sorsogon,” he said.
Pamalakaya said the incident marks the third reported case of alleged intimidation by LKY’s personnel against Cogon residents this year.
Allan Espallardo, president of SGBM, told LiCAS News that his organization will seek the intervention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to protect the community from alleged harassment by the company.
“Several complaints have been filed with the barangay by coastal dwellers against LKY personnel due to repeated incidents of alleged intimidation and harassment,” said Espallardo.
“Residents continue to seek assistance from authorities to protect them from such incidents while their dispute with the company remains unresolved,” he added.
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