‘Beach-grabbing in Zambales?

IBA, Zambales – Resort owners in the coastal barangay of Lipay Dingin here are seeking the help of Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon in stopping the "beach-grabbing" operations of a company linked to an official of the province.

Resort owners and residents said a demolition team, escorted by heavily armed men, tore down the walls of beach resorts last June 12 and placed wooden barricades at the start of a two-kilometer stretch of the main barangay road.

"The presence of the armed men alone is already a rebuke of Secretary Gordon," they said.

The demolition was reportedly ordered by Jessmag Inc., which claims more than eight hectares of prime beach property that covers five beach resorts, hundreds of beach houses, and a training facility of the Air Force.

Jessmag is said to stand for Jess Magsaysay, a cousin of Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay.

A resort owner said the barricades are being manned by heavily armed guards, who are under strict instructions to bar anybody from entering the area.

"The instruction was to allow people to leave but not to allow them to return or others to get in," she said.

A resident said the demolition team failed to present a court order or any document to show that they have the authority to fence the area and to demolish property.

Residents and resort owners said the presence of armed men caused frightened tourists to cut short their holiday last June 12 and immediately return to Metro Manila.

However, they said it is surprising that the barricades did not fence in the houses of Zambales Rep. Ruben Torres and his brother, which were also located in the same disputed area.

"Why, because Torres is a congressman?" they asked.

Residents and resort owners said the walls of beach resorts have been demolished as of yesterday and that the beach houses will be bulldozed next.