Friday, January 25, 2008 Domingos have no rightful claim on Dapecol: Guv By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said no one can claim ownership of the vast land in the Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol) since it was declared a reservation area as far back as the Commonwealth era.
Del Rosario said Wednesday that back in the 1970's when Dapecol started their joint business venture with the Tagum Agricultural Development Corporation (Tadeco) he personally saw the relocation of "illegal settlers" inside the Dapecol area to nearby sites.
He said one of the many "illegal settlers" relocated was the family of Damian Domingo.
Del Rosario said about 2,000 hectares were given to the settlers for their relocation outside the Dapecol area.
The governor said many other individuals or groups are also claiming ownership to several hectares of land inside Dapecol but all of them, he thinks, have no rightful claim.
"Kasama pa nga sa nagki-claim yung si Kumander Toothpick at iba pang mga kulto. Di ko na matandaan yung iba eh. Pero itong si Damian Domingo matandaan ko to nuon," del Rosario said.
A syndicate claiming to be the sole representative of the heirs of Damian Domingo was allegedly asking at least P100,000 from their victims on the promise that they will become beneficiaries of the 1,600-hectare land being claimed by Domingo once it will be awarded to them by the government.
The syndicate is allegedly led by Merlyn Domingo-Ramirez, granddaughter of Damian. But another person, Rosa Jasmine Domingo-Malolot, recently came out and claimed that she is the real granddaughter of Damian Domingo and that their family is not claiming ownership of the Dapecol land.
Malolot said they do not know any Merlyn Domingo-Ramirez in their clan.
The National Bureau of Investigation meanwhile has not formally started its investigation against the land scam syndicate for lack of complainants.
It was learned that the syndicate has already victimized about eight affluent individuals but none of them are willing to come out.
