DILG probes police official’s alleged link to land-grabbing at Masungi Georeserve

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is looking into the possible involvement of a police official in the alleged land-grabbing incident at the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal.

A report on Unang Balita on Tuesday said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos inspected Masungi Georeserve following information that the police are set to turn over control of the area to a private individual.

The individual is reportedly connected to a former chief of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF). 

Policemen demolished their barracks inside Masungi Georeserve last Friday supposedly to give way to the new owner.

According to the management of the Masungi Georeserve Protected Area, the property is owned by the government.

Aside from alleged land-grabbing, the DILG is also investigating the illegal structures erected inside Masungi. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to release in April its findings on whether the structures built inside protected areas, including Masungi, are legal.

The Unang Balita report said policemen remain at Masungi following Abalos’ inspection. —KBK, GMA Integrated News