MARIVELES, BATAAN — Businessman Manny Argonza, alongside his legal counsel Atty. Carlo Sanchez, sounded the alarm over what they described as the “blatant and illegal occupation” of Argonza’s 15-hectare property located in Sitio Argonza, Barangay Mountain View, Mariveles.
In a press conference held Monday morning, the two condemned the unauthorized entry of around 50 individuals—reportedly agrarian reform beneficiaries—who allegedly breached the property’s perimeter wall on June 25, 2025, rather than entering through the main gate. The group was reportedly accompanied by a sheriff from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), yet no prior notice or proper legal procedure was observed.
Atty. Sanchez explained that although the land was placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 2013, the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) was only issued in 2021, raising serious legal and procedural concerns. Argonza further claimed that the group refused to provide him with copies of the documents they presented during the occupation.
“These are not isolated cases. What we are witnessing is part of a larger, long-standing problem in Bataan—one that continues to threaten property rights and investor confidence,” Argonza stated. “How can we attract new investments when landowners are left vulnerable and unprotected?”
Local residents attended the press conference to express their support. Argonza also thanked the Mariveles local government unit and the Barangay Council of Mountain View for their swift assistance. He appealed to both provincial and national authorities to take immediate and decisive action to resolve persistent land disputes that hinder peace, order, and economic development in the region.