Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares distanced herself from the land dispute issue in Hillsdale Summit Subdivision, Angono, in this province, saying she will not overstep local authorities that have jurisdiction over it.
“There are layers, right? Of course, there is the PNP [Philippine National Police], there is also the barangay and the local government units,” Ynares said in an ambush interview at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, Rizal, over the weekend.
“I don’t want to overstep and lead our mayors because our province is different—from the capitol to the barangays. So, I don’t want to overstep the authorities of the jurisdiction,” the governor added.
Ynares was asked for her reaction following the calls of business owners and employees of the popular overlooking cafés and restaurants, urging local authorities—including the provincial government—to intervene amid ongoing tensions, alleging that they were harassed by a group of men reportedly hired by an unnamed individual claiming ownership of the area.
On 13 October 2025, a group of men allegedly blocked the gate of the subdivision leading to the cafés, saying that barricades had been set up in the area, preventing customers from entering the establishments.
For his part, Rizal police provincial director Col. Feleteo Gonzalgo assured business owners and stall owners that they will maintain peace and order in the area, saying that the police cannot be involved in civil cases and land disputes.
“The police will only enter if there is a request from the sheriff for assistance because they will demolish, like for instance. If there is a dispute, the police will enter to maintain peace and order but to ask them to leave and the police will say give me your title you are the owner, we don’t have the authority to interpret who is right and who is wrong,” Gonzalgo said.
“We have no right to explain who is right and who is wrong, who is the owner and who is not. That’s the role of the PNP. That’s where we will enter,” he added.
The local government of Angono earlier said that the incident in Hillsdale Summit Subdivision “is purely a police matter,” saying it has taken steps to strike a balance that would cushion the adverse impacts of the legal squabble over the private property dispute on the workers.
It added that it is looking for other areas where entrepreneurs can do their business without the hassle of being harassed again by the subdivision owner.
Angono, a lakeshore town referred to as the Art Capital of the Philippines, takes pride in being one of the best destinations for local tourists wanting to experience a breathtaking overlooking view.