MAYOR TASKS BCPO TO PROTECT BAGUIO STOCK FARM FROM INTRUDERS

30 June 2021 – The city government of Baguio will not allow intrusions over the Baguio Stock Farm covered by Proclamation No. 603, Series of 1940.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the Baguio City Police Office to secure the Baguio Stock Farm from unwanted intrusions after receiving a letter dated June 22, 2021 from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office – Cordillera that certain individuals tried to survey portions the Baguio Stock Farm last May 2021.

The mayor was informed by DA-CAR OIC Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey that the elements of the Bureau of Animal Industry barred the surveyors from doing so.

Odsey said the group of surveyors were holding a certified true copy of their title in the name of Roberto and Luzviminda Espedido per TCT No. 1313. Upon verification, the DA-CAR found that the same title was issued in the name of Raymundo and Rosario Espedido dated June 27, 2013 – a derivative of TCT No. 969 “which appears to have cancelled OCT. No. 19 in the name of Ikang Paus, which is not an NCIP Title.”

The DA-CAR said intrusion upon said reservation happened anew this month when a group of men led by one Mailed Molina, were claiming portions of the reservation for private purposes, based on a purported land claim by the heirs of Ikang Paus.

While these intrusions were happening, officials and employees of the Department of Agriculture reportedly received threats of harm.

“We cannot allow and we are not allowing these,” Mayor Magalong said.

Proclamation No. 603, Series 1940 reserved the Baguio Stock Farm for animal breeding purposes of the national government.

“Ensure no intimidation of any form reaches those who only seek to defend it. Make apprehensions, if need be, and file the proper cases in court,” Mayor Magalong ordered the BCPO.

Mayor Magalong said there are no indications that portions of the reservation had been reclassified to allow private ownership. More importantly, these purported land claims have placed the Baguio Stock Farm under dangers of irreversible destruction.

“The validity of titles and claims of private individuals in the area are now being determined before a local court. Allow the case to take its natural flow. In this regard, I am tasking the City Legal Office to coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General so that other avenues to protect the property may be done,” Mayor Magalong said. – Jessa Samidan