The local government of Angono, Rizal, on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of the working class.
The statement came after workers of popular overlooking cafés at Hillsdale Summit Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro urged local authorities to intervene in the ongoing land dispute in the area.
“However, there are instances when we are bound to adhere to court decisions,” the local government said.
“While the incident in Barangay San Isidro is purely a police matter, the municipal government is taking steps to strike a balance that would cushion the adverse impacts of the legal squabble involving a private property dispute on the workers,” it added.
The local government said it is now looking for other areas where entrepreneurs can continue their businesses without the risk of being harassed again by the subdivision owner.
A viral video posted on Monday, 13 October, showed a commotion between tenants, business owners, and security guards from Park Developers Inc., represented by Reynaldo Jesus Pasco Sr., at the said subdivision.
The altercation occurred when guards allegedly barred tenants and business owners from entering the subdivision’s gate. The Angono police confirmed that no one was harmed during the incident.
A sheriff later arrived to enforce a writ of execution—covering ejectment, injunction, and damages—against tenants and business owners occupying the disputed land.
The writ ordered them to vacate and remove all unlawful structures along N. Bernardo Street and a portion of the road beside Lot 1 within Hillsdale Summit Subdivision. It also prohibited the use of the subdivision’s road network for access to their cafés and food stalls.
Workers claimed they were harassed by a group of unidentified men allegedly hired by an individual claiming ownership of the land.
“It’s very alarming because there’s a threat to the lives of the people here. Some of them have weapons. We can’t identify their faces because they’re hiding. We have no fight with them,” said a worker from Tagpuan Café, who declined to be named.
“We really need the help of the local government and local police. We are also calling on the national media, the provincial government of Rizal, our governor, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to help us investigate,” the worker added.
He said this was not the first time they had faced eviction since the dispute began in 2021, but “this is the worst that has happened.”
Jane, the restaurant’s administrative officer, said they have complete business documents and pay the proper taxes to the local government.
Asked if they would comply with a court order to vacate, she said: “We don’t have a problem if they are the legal owners. But it has never been legal if there’s violence and harassment. As you can see in the video, we are only fighting for them to open the road because we have customers coming in.”
She also criticized the local police for allegedly failing to act during the commotion.
“They just watch even if someone gets hurt,” she said. “It’s not normal anymore because there might be a life-threatening situation.”
If unresolved, dozens of employees, including student part-timers, risk losing their jobs.
Angono, dubbed the Art Capital of the Philippines, is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic lakeshore views and creative culture.