Boracay Ati Holds Protest Rally in Front of DAR-Aklan
- May 1
- 2 min read
By Jun N. Aguirre
KALIBO, Aklan — Members and supporters of the Asosasyon Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (ABATO) staged a protest rally in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform-Aklan (DAR-Aklan) office in Kalibo on March 16, 2026.
Sister Elvie Oliamot of the Daughters of Charity, who joined the demonstration, told Boracay Sun News that the rally aimed to pressure DAR to take decisive action against JECO Development Corporation. Specifically, the group is demanding that DAR mandate the removal of barbed wire fencing from their farmland, return the contested lot to the Ati community, and initiate a probe into alleged criminal offenses committed by the corporation.
Furthermore, the protesters are calling for clear directives ensuring that, pending final and executory rulings on all Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA)-related cases, the Boracay Ati community remains free from harassment by private claimants.
Joining the rally in solidarity were retired Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc, Fr. Jayvee Delos Santos, and retired DAR information officer Grace Quimpo.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict traces back to 2018, when former President Rodrigo Duterte granted approximately 3.2 hectares of land to 44 Ati families under the CLOA program. The land was divided into five separate sites.
According to Sr. Oliamot, on February 15, 2026, security guards from JECO fenced off “CLOA Number 5” with barbed wire. This specific lot, located along the beachfront pathway near Station 3, serves as vital farmland for the tribal organization. An ABATO gardener reported the incident to the Boracay Police, stating they were being barred from entering the property.
During a legislative inquiry by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan on March 11, JECO Operations Manager Jann Martin Mamon maintained that the corporation is standing firm on its rights. “We acquired the property in 2018 from its former owner through a tax declaration. Part of that property was subsequently donated by President Duterte to the ABATO,” Mamon explained.
Legal Impasse
On January 7, 2026, DAR Sec. Conrado Estrella III cancelled the effectivity of CLOA 5, identifying JECO as the legitimate protestant. In response, ABATO, represented by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), filed a motion for reconsideration, which is currently pending a DAR decision.
Earlier reports suggested that members of the ABATO had sued JECO, a matter discussed during a hearing chaired by the Committee on Human Rights. Investigative findings revealed that JECO purchased a 10,000-square-meter property via tax declaration prior to the 2018 turnover; of that land, 8,000 square meters were allocated to ABATO.
However, Provincial Board Members Atty. Reynaldo Quimpo, Jupiter Gallenero, and Apolinario Cleope have asserted that JECO has no legal right to the property, as the area is still classified as public land.
Maria Tamboon, representing ABATO, noted that while NCIP lawyers require the names of the security guards involved in the fencing, local officials have been uncooperative. “We tried to talk with Mayor Frolibar Bautista and the barangay to compel JECO to provide the names of the guards, but they are not responding,” Tamboon said.
As of press time, ABATO is still awaiting a formal response from DAR-Aklan.
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