‘Royal clan’ owns Lapu-Lapu City?

CEBU, Philippines - A group which claims ownership of the entire Philippine archipelago has asked the Lapu-Lapu City government  and all its instrumentalities to stop what it described as “illegal disposition, selling, leasing, conveyances, and development” of private ancestral land domains allegedly owned by the Tallano-Tagean Royal Clan.

Representatives of the group called Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Programme claimed that Lapu-Lapu City is part of the Hacienda Filipina owned by the royal clan entrusted to the Universal Queen of Queens Foundations, Inc. 

“Thus, nobody shall be allowed to forceably develop, dispose, sell, lease, and explore any natural resources (lands, waters, mineral, etc.), within the whole Hacienda Filipina Archipelago and/or Visayas Region without seeking first the formal written agreement or express consent of the undersigned Adjutant General/Mandate Trustee,” read a letter addressed to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.

The signatories of the letter were Alfredo Aton, Delfin Abanggan, and Leandro Dionson. They claim to be the Adjutant Generals/Mandate Trustee of the group.

In response, City Attorney Yuri Beluan told the group that the claim appears to be contrary not just to existing government records of titles and ownership but also to prevailing laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

“This office finds that it is of utmost necessity that the documents you submitted should be thoroughly verified in consideration of their highly dubious character,” Beluan said.

 City Register of Deeds Marlo Cugtas certified that Original Certificate of Title No. T-01-4 covering certain lands known as Hacienda Filipina (embracing Islands of Luzon, Palawan Peninsula, Visayas, and Mindanao), is not among the certificates of titles on file in the Registry.

 Beluan warned the group that the absence of authority to use seals and emblems of the United Nations, its organizations and agencies, and of the different instrumentalities of the Philippine government, and the signatures of different government officials will expose them to criminal liability.

 â€œHence, with the foregoing, please stop arrogating upon yourselves that you own the whole Philippine archipelago. Please also stop threatening the city with your notices,” read a letter of Beluan addressed to Aton. 

 The group allegedly harassed some residents by claiming their properties and threatening to destroy the structures.

 The group opposes any application of fencing permit at the Office of the City Planning and Development.

Beluan told City Planning Officer, Engr. Perla Amar, that the claim of Aton and the group is not new and not meritorious. He instead recommended the grant of application for locational clearance for perimeter fences.

 â€œWe are very much willing to talk with you in person thru our representative Mandate Adjutant/Trustee Alfredo Aton.  You may set the date and time at your most convenient,” read its reply through email to The FREEMAN when asked for comment. — /FPL (FREEMAN)