Developer denies any role in Cavite land-grabbing issue

Manila Southcoast Development Corp. (MSDC) is denying any involvement in an alleged land-grabbing case involving a 602-hectare property in Patungan Cove in Maragondon, Cavite.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Henry Sy-owned MSDC said it was not involved in the eviction or demolition activity that was allegedly being carried out in Patungan Cove's Barangay Santa Mercedes.

The clarification came after Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said in a statement over the weekend he was pushing for a congressional inquiry into the alleged land-grabbing incident.

Casilao filed House Resolution 209 calling for the committees on ecology, natural resources and agrarian reform to investigate reports that the Maria Theresa Virata (MTV) Realty Corp. has sold a 602-hectare beachfront area to MSDC.

Manila Southcoast, however, denied it bought the land from MTV Realty Corp.

"The company stressed that it never has any intention of buying the property," it added.

The lawmaker noted that MTV Realty used a writ of demolition by the Naic Regional Trial Court issued last July to forcefully evict the residents of Patungan.

Casilao noted the fisherfolk and farmers group "Save Patungan Now Movement (SPNM)" told him that MTV Realty only owned 13.5 hectares of land in the area.

"Since the Naic RTC issuance of the demolition order, the SPNM group is now facing charges, threats, harassment and intimidation committed by elements of the police, military, and private security guards of MTV Realty Corp. and MSDC," he said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News