04/02/2020
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Ranch. In 1975, however, the settlers were told that the supposed titling of their
landholdings was not going to push through as the island was going to be set up as
a zoo for rare and exotic animals from other countries.[7] Further, they were told
that instead, they would be resettled in Halsey and Burabod in Culion, where the
lands were claimed to be more fertile and where full government services and
facilities such as irrigation, electricity, waterworks, public markets, roads, housing,
school, and health care, would be provided by the government.[8]
The petitioners alleged that, along with the other settlers, they could not refuse the
offer because they were harassed and intimidated by members of the Philippine
Constabulary (PC). In their petition and answers to written interrogatories, they
mentioned instances of violence and harassment by PC soldiers.[9] They were also
told that they had no choice but to leave Calauit, as the island was government
property and that, as illegal settlers, they could be sued.[10]
The terms of the proposed relocation was later embodied in individual Resettlement
Agreements[11] wherein the government, through the Secretary of Natural
Resources, among other things, undertook to provide the signatory settler the
following: (1) an agricultural lot in exchange for the area he would be vacating; and
(2) payment for the improvements on the properties to be vacated, as ascertained in
individualized appraisal sheets.[12] In exchange, the signatory settler agreed to (1)
be resettled to any selected resettlement area in Busuanga; (2) relinquish "totally
his rights and claim (sic) over the land thereon in favor of the Government;" and (3)
vacate the premises upon receipt of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount of the
appraised value of the improvements, with the other half to be paid upon proof of
actual evacuation from the property.[13]
On August 31, 1976, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos (Pres. Marcos) signed
Presidential Proclamation No. 1578, which declared the Island of Calauit as a Game
Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, viz.:
PROCLAMATION NO. 1578
DECLARING AS A GAME PRESERVE AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY A
CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN EMBRACED AND
SITUATED IN THE ISLAND OF CALAUIT, MUNICIPALITY OF NEW
BUSUANGA, ISLAND OF BUSUANGA, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN.
Upon recommendation of the Secretary of Natural Resources and
pursuant to the authority vested in me by law, I, FERDINAND E.
MARCOS, President of the Philippines, do hereby withdraw from sale,
settlement, exploration or exploitation and set aside and declare, subject
to private rights, if any there be, as a Game Preserve and Wildlife
sanctuary a certain parcel of land of the public domain embraced and
situated in the island of Calauit, Municipality of New Busuanga, island of
Busuanga, province of Palawan, which tract of land is more particularly
described as follows:
"A parcel of land (Calauit Island) bounded on the North by
Mindoro Strait; on the East by Mindoro Strait; on the South by
the Municipality of New Busuanga, Palawan and Illultuk Bay;
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/61037
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