Indigenous Boracay family brings land case to high court

BORACAY, Philippines - An indigenous family in Boracay Island has asked protection from the Supreme Court to stop the police and some businessmen from taking over their land. In a petition, the Tapuz family is claiming ownership over an area in Boracay in Malay town, Aklan province. They said businessmen Gregorio Sanson and wife Ma. Lourdes had instigated the demolition of some of their homes by virtue of a land title whose authenticity could not be determined. The Sanson family has yet to respond to the case. The family said the couple acquired a writ of demolition from the municipal trial court even if it does not have jurisdiction over the case. They claimed the court could only try cases regarding the custody over properties that do not exceed a market value of P20,000. The contested area has an alleged market value of P201,260. The family haled the issue to the regional trial court and questioned the lower court’s jurisdiction. The family, however, lost the case. - BusinessWorld