BAGUIO CITY – On November 19, 2024, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7 in Baguio City issued a ruling in Civil Case No. 9625-R, declaring the cancellation of land titles and the nullity of several claims to parcels of land located at the Baguio Animal Breeding Research Center (BABRC).
The BABRC, administered by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) under the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office Cordillera (DA-RFO CAR), had been subject to multiple unlawful intrusions. The court’s decision includes a request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or a Writ of Preliminary Injunction to prevent further encroachment by claimants.
The legal dispute traces its origins to Proclamation No. 603, Series of 1940, issued by then-President Manuel L. Quezon on August 5, 1940. This proclamation reserved a portion of land in Baguio City for the purpose of establishing an animal breeding station, which was placed under the administration of the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Since then, the land has been crucial for research and animal breeding activities in the region.
The RTC ruling declared that all titles associated with the claimants who had asserted ownership over the BABRC land were null and void. The court ordered the Register of Deeds of Baguio City to cancel the Original Certificates of Title issued to the claimants. Furthermore, the claimants were directed to cease any actions that would imply ownership or possession over the property covered by Proclamation No. 603, Series of 1940.
The legal action was initiated on May 29, 2023, by the DA-RFO CAR, BAI, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera (DENR-CAR) following several incidents of unlawful entry into the BABRC premises. Armed individuals, some of whom presented forged or contested certificates of titles issued by the Register of Deeds of Baguio City, had forcefully entered the fenced area of the BABRC. These intrusions posed significant security risks to the facility, which is vital for agricultural research and animal breeding programs.
The problem of encroachment on the BABRC land has a long history. Since 2021, the property has faced repeated illegal entries, with armed groups destroying the cemented perimeter fence, setting up makeshift shelters, and occupying the premises for extended periods. Local authorities, including Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and officers from the Philippine National Police-Baguio City Police Office, have been instrumental in resolving these incidents and restoring order.
A significant breakthrough came under the leadership of former DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey and OIC-Center Chief Robert L. Domoguen, along with the efforts of the legal team led by Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, now the Regional Executive Director of the DA-CAR and in collaboration with the Office of the Solicitor General. Their coordinated work was crucial in bringing the case to court and securing the favorable ruling.
Additionally, it is important to note that in April 2022, two administrative cases were filed against the 8 Dragons Elite Security Agency, Inc., managed by one of the claimants, in connection with multiple intrusions on BABRC property. These incidents were investigated, and in March 2024, the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies in Camp Crame, Quezon City, found the security agency guilty of violations related to these unlawful entries.
The court’s decision is a significant step in securing the BABRC land, ensuring its continued use for its intended purpose and protecting it from further unlawful claims or disturbances. It also reflects the ongoing commitment of local government units and law enforcement to uphold the rule of law and safeguard public assets. By Leny D. Mendoza
