Resort owners fear for safety as land-grabbing syndicate strikes in Zambales

Policemen recovered several firearms from a group of men who forcibly entered the premises of a private resort in San Felipe town, Zambales, recently. Authorities said the armed men are involved in land grabbing, victimizing legitimate resort owners. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAMBALES PROVINCIAL POLICE OFFICE

SAN FELIPE, Zambales — Several beach resort owners in this coastal town have asked the local police to intensify their security on their premises after a group of armed men barged into a private beach resort and harassed its workers recently.

“As legitimate resort owners in the town of San Felipe, we’re growing weary because there are still some syndicates engaged in land grabbing, victimizing some of us,” a resort owner, who asked for anonymity for security reasons, said on Wednesday.

The businessman said “powerful and influential individuals who finance their activities” back these syndicates.

Last month, 52 armed men forcefully entered a private beach resort in this town, as reported by the local police.

An initial investigation showed that the suspects disarmed the resort’s security guards and harassed other workers and guests.

Police said the suspects climbed over the resort’s concrete wall and began harassing workers and guests, including a pregnant woman, before taking with them some valuables from a cottage.

After getting an alert, local police responded and apprehended the suspects, and took them to the municipal police station along with the victims.

The suspects have been charged with harassment, grave coercion, and theft, but were released on bail.

Resort owners said the incident comes three months after several groups involved in land grabbing victimized privately owned properties, erecting fences and structures without legal ownership documentation. INQ