Philippines tourism: Members of the Ati tribe fight for their land
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
🏝️ 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
💡Boracay
💡Land Ownership Certificates (CLAs)
💡Agrarian Reform
💡Tourism Boom
💡Dexter Condes
💡Land Dispute
💡Private Developer
💡Soil Experts
💡Eviction
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.
Transcripts
a warm welcome from the atti children of
bakai the crown jewel of Philippine
tourism but it's a scene most visitors
don't get to see because the Island's
original settlers have lived in small
pieces of land away from the crowds now
tribe Elders say they're on the brink of
losing what little they have one of six
Lots they occupy has been fenced off
after their homes were demolished by a
developer in March
even just a faint noise scares me into
thinking it might be their security
guards again coming to evict
us the private company that took the
property says it did so after the
government cancelled the state granted
Land Titles in 2018 then president
Rodrigo duterte awarded baki's
indigenous atti people with certificates
of land ownership or clas placing the
properties under The Agrarian reform
program but now those titles have been
revoked because the government has
rolled the land isn't suitable for
agriculture the country's agrarian
reform secretary says the decision was
based on tests done by soil experts the
issuance of the clas then has no leg to
stand on it does not have any legal
basis at all only lands that are
suitable for agriculture are those that
can be covered by The Agrarian
reform P at have been able to grow
fruits and now that they've put in the
work they say they're not going
anywhere they fooled us they gave us
land only to take it back so why should
we move to where they're telling us to
relocate we don't trust the
government it's been a yearlong struggle
to find a permanent settlement at a time
of a tourism boom and one that they
believe has cost a life in 2013 Dexter
Condes a young ATI leader was shot to
death but instead of letting fear take
over they say they must honor his memory
by continuing to fight for their right
to their ancestral land bar below Al
jazer bakai the
Philippines make sure to subscribe to
our channel to get the latest news from
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