Philippines tourism: Members of the Ati tribe fight for their land

Al Jazeera English

14 May 202402:23

Summary

TLDRThe video sheds light on the plight of the indigenous Ati people of Boracay, the Philippines, who are struggling to retain their ancestral lands amid increasing tourism development. Despite being granted land titles in 2018 under former President Duterte's agrarian reform program, those titles were revoked after the government ruled the land unsuitable for agriculture. Now, the Ati face eviction, with some of their homes already demolished. They continue to fight for their rights, honoring the memory of a young Ati leader who was killed during this ongoing struggle.

Takeaways

🏝️ The Ati children of Boracay, the original settlers, are welcoming visitors, but their communities are largely unseen by tourists.
🏘️ The Ati tribe has been living on small land parcels away from the main tourism areas, but now their land is being threatened.
🚧 One of six lots they occupy has been fenced off, and homes were demolished by a developer in March.
😨 The Ati people are living in fear, worried that security guards will come again to evict them from their land.
🏢 A private company took their property after the government canceled their land titles in 2018.
📝 Former President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the Ati people certificates of land ownership (CLAs), but these titles were later revoked.
🌱 The government ruled the land unsuitable for agriculture, which led to the cancellation of the CLAs.
🍎 The Ati have been able to grow fruits on the land, and they are unwilling to relocate despite government pressure.
😡 The Ati people feel betrayed by the government and refuse to move to the designated relocation area, citing a lack of trust.
🕊️ The Ati are determined to continue fighting for their ancestral land, honoring the memory of Dexter Condes, a young Ati leader who was killed in 2013.

Q & A

Who are the original settlers of Boracay Island?
-The original settlers of Boracay Island are the Ati people, an indigenous group.
What happened to the land the Ati people occupied on Boracay Island?
-One of the six lots the Ati people occupied was fenced off after their homes were demolished by a developer in March, following the cancellation of their state-granted land titles.
Why are the Ati people afraid of eviction?
-The Ati people fear eviction because they have been harassed by security guards of the private company that took over their land.
What was the government's reasoning for revoking the Ati people’s land titles?
-The government revoked the Ati people’s land titles after ruling that the land was not suitable for agriculture based on tests conducted by soil experts.
Who awarded the Ati people with the certificates of land ownership, and under what program?
-Former President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the Ati people with certificates of land ownership (CLAs) under the country's Agrarian Reform Program.
Why do the Ati people feel betrayed by the government?
-The Ati people feel betrayed because the government gave them land only to take it back, leading them to distrust the government's promises and relocation plans.
What crops have the Ati people successfully grown on their land?
-The Ati people have been able to grow fruits on the land they were granted.
What significant event in 2013 intensified the Ati people’s resolve to fight for their land?
-In 2013, Dexter Condes, a young Ati leader, was shot to death, which intensified the community's resolve to continue fighting for their ancestral land.
What role does tourism play in the Ati people’s struggle for land rights?
-Boracay’s tourism boom is exacerbating the Ati people’s struggle for land rights as developers are interested in acquiring land for tourism purposes, making it harder for the Ati to secure permanent settlements.
How do the Ati people intend to honor the memory of Dexter Condes?
-The Ati people intend to honor Dexter Condes' memory by continuing their fight for their right to their ancestral land and not giving up despite the challenges.

Outlines

00:00

🏝️ Warm Welcome from the Atti People of Boracay

The indigenous Atti people of Boracay, once the island’s original settlers, extend a warm welcome. However, this is a side of Boracay that most tourists never experience. The Atti live on small plots of land, isolated from the crowds, and are now at risk of losing what little they have left. Their struggle centers around land disputes, with developers demolishing their homes and fencing off one of the six lots they occupy, leaving them fearful of eviction.

🚧 Forced Evictions and Legal Battles over Land Ownership

Tribal elders recount their anxiety as security guards employed by developers attempt to evict them. This follows a government decision in 2018 to cancel state-issued land titles. Former President Rodrigo Duterte had awarded the Atti certificates of land ownership (CLAs) under the Agrarian Reform Program. However, the government later revoked these titles, citing that the land was unsuitable for agriculture, based on soil experts' assessments. The Atti now face the loss of land they were once promised.

🌱 Agrarian Reform and Broken Promises

The Philippine Agrarian Reform Secretary justifies the revocation of land titles, explaining that only agriculturally suitable land can be part of the reform program. Despite the government's stance, the Atti argue that they have cultivated and grown fruit on the land, demonstrating its potential. They feel betrayed, having worked the land only to have it taken away, and refuse to relocate to new areas proposed by the government, deeply mistrusting its intentions.

💔 Broken Trust and Struggles for Ancestral Land

The Atti tribe expresses deep distrust toward the government after a prolonged, yearlong struggle to secure a permanent settlement. Despite the island’s booming tourism industry, they continue to face displacement. The memory of Dexter Condes, a young Atti leader who was tragically killed in 2013, motivates the tribe to persist in their fight. Condes' assassination marked a significant loss, but instead of succumbing to fear, the Atti are determined to honor his legacy by defending their ancestral land.

📰 Stay Updated on Al Jazeera News

The report concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to subscribe to Al Jazeera for the latest news coverage and updates. The situation in Boracay, the struggles of the Atti people, and other pressing global stories are featured regularly on the network.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Atti Tribe

The Atti tribe refers to the indigenous people of Boracay Island, who are the original settlers of the area. In the video, they are depicted as marginalized, living away from the tourism developments and struggling to maintain their land rights. Their connection to the land is deep-rooted, but they face displacement due to land conflicts with developers and the government.

💡Boracay

Boracay is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, known for its beaches and hospitality industry. However, the video highlights a side of Boracay that tourists rarely see, particularly the struggle of the Atti tribe to retain their ancestral lands amidst the growing tourism-driven development on the island.

💡Land Ownership Certificates (CLAs)

Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLAs) are legal documents issued to the Atti people, granting them ownership rights to certain lands under the Agrarian Reform Program. In the video, these certificates were revoked, leading to land being taken away from the tribe. This revocation plays a key role in the conflict as it leaves the Atti vulnerable to displacement.

💡Agrarian Reform

Agrarian Reform is a government program aimed at redistributing land to farmers, including indigenous groups, to promote equitable land ownership. In the video, the government initially included Atti lands in this program, only to revoke the CLAs later, claiming the land is unsuitable for agriculture. This policy change is central to the land dispute faced by the Atti.

💡Tourism Boom

The tourism boom in Boracay refers to the rapid growth of the island as a global travel destination, which has led to economic development. However, the video reveals the negative consequences of this boom, particularly the pressure it places on indigenous communities like the Atti, who are being displaced to make way for tourism-related projects.

💡Dexter Condes

Dexter Condes was a young leader of the Atti tribe who was murdered in 2013. His death is mentioned in the video as a pivotal moment in the tribe's ongoing struggle for their ancestral lands. His legacy continues to inspire the tribe to resist displacement and fight for their rights.

💡Land Dispute

The land dispute is the central conflict in the video, where the Atti tribe's ancestral land is being taken away by a private developer after the government revoked their land titles. The dispute highlights the challenges faced by indigenous groups in securing land rights against powerful interests, particularly in areas with high tourism potential like Boracay.

💡Private Developer

The private developer in the video represents the corporate interests that have fenced off and demolished Atti homes. They claim legal ownership of the land following the government's revocation of the Atti's land titles, showing the tension between commercial development and indigenous rights in Boracay.

💡Soil Experts

Soil experts are mentioned as the basis for the government's decision to revoke the Atti's land titles, claiming that the land is unsuitable for agriculture. This scientific assessment is used to justify the government's decision, although the Atti tribe disputes it, having grown fruits on the land.

💡Eviction

Eviction refers to the forced removal of the Atti tribe from their land. The video shows that the tribe is living in fear of further evictions, after their homes were already demolished by security guards working for the private developer. The threat of eviction underscores the precariousness of their situation.

Highlights

The original settlers of Boracay, the indigenous Ati tribe, have lived in small parcels of land away from the main tourist areas.

The Ati elders fear losing the little land they have left, after one of their occupied lots was fenced off and their homes were demolished by a developer in March.

The tribe reports being terrified by even faint noises, fearing the return of security guards to evict them.

A private company took the Ati’s land after the government cancelled the state-granted land titles in 2018.

In 2018, former President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the Ati people Certificates of Land Ownership (CLOAs) under the agrarian reform program.

However, these land titles were revoked because the land was deemed unsuitable for agriculture by the government.

The agrarian reform secretary stated that soil tests proved the land was not fit for agricultural purposes, nullifying the legal basis for the CLOAs.

Despite this, the Ati people had already begun cultivating the land and argue that they deserve to stay after putting in years of effort.

The tribe feels deceived by the government, claiming they were awarded land only to have it taken back.

The Ati people refuse to relocate to the area proposed by the government, citing a deep mistrust.

The tribe's struggle for a permanent settlement comes amid Boracay’s tourism boom.

The tribe believes the ongoing fight for land rights has had tragic consequences, including the murder of Dexter Condes, a young Ati leader, in 2013.

Despite Dexter Condes' death, the Ati people remain determined to fight for their ancestral land in his honor.

The Ati tribe faces ongoing challenges as they battle for land rights against powerful developers and governmental policies.

The story highlights the broader issue of indigenous people being displaced due to tourism development and land rights conflicts.