Residents of Marihangin, Palawan, are expressing deep concern over the presence of armed guards in their community, which they link to Bricktree Properties Inc., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation.
The company denies involvement, saying Marihangin is not part of its proposed 5,568-hectare ecotourism project on Bugsuk Island.
Tensions flared after a June 29, 2024, incident when 16 armed guards allegedly entered the village and fired gunshots, heightening fears of displacement.
Advocacy groups have called attention to the presence of guards and fencing activities in Marihangin, questioning why these actions are taking place if the area is not part of Bricktree’s plans.
“The police clarified that they were hired by Bricktree Properties,” said Soc Banzuela, National Coordinator of PAKISAMA. “Residents are asking why they are being guarded if Marihangin is not part of the project. If they have no authority on that island, why are they guarding it?”
Concerns over transparency have added to the tension. During a May 2, 2024, public hearing conducted by the Department of Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), participants questioned the availability of records and the accuracy of the proceedings.
“We want to know if the proceedings truly reflect what was said by the participants,” Banzuela said. “Do participants not have the right to obtain the proceedings from the public hearing?”
Despite calls from residents and stakeholders for the release of public consultation records, a Bricktree representative said that the documents are not subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requirements and will not be made publicly accessible.
This decision has fueled suspicions among locals, who feel their concerns are not being adequately represented.
During the public hearing, locals expressed strong opposition to the ecotourism project, with many refusing to sign the attendance sheet out of fear their signatures might later be misused as evidence of support.
“The people are affected by the project. To ease their concerns and clarify the situation, we should all be on the same page,” said Romillano Calo, chairperson of SAMBILOG—Balik Bugsuk Movement. “The government should assist the people and provide clarity for the community.”
Residents have also raised questions about the purpose of fencing activities and armed security, arguing these actions contradict claims that Marihangin is not part of the project.
Advocacy groups have urged the DENR-EMB to release the full records of the public hearing to ensure transparency and allow for a thorough review of the proceedings.
Residents have stressed the need for transparency, fearing displacement and loss of livelihoods due to the project.