[Philippines] Strategic developments: Other

Non-violent activity: On 4 April 2025, 80 private armed guards were deployed in a land occupied by the Molbog and Kagayanen ethnic groups and other residents in Sitio Mariahangin, Barangay Bugsuk (Balabac, Palawan, Mimaropa Region), adding to the 16 guards already stationed in the area. There is an ongoing land dispute involving a proposed ecotourism project by a real estate development company that claims legal ownership of land on Bugsuk Island. Despite resettlement offers from the company, the residents refused to leave their ancestral land. Residents said they were harassed to vacate, even though no court order authorizes such actions. They said the presence of armed guards disrupted their livelihoods, forcing them to take turns guarding their homes and land, leaving them with less time to work.

Severity

LOW

Occurred

2025-04-04

Country

Philippines

Event type

strategic

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