The Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said this week it is investigating a complaint alleging the illegal transfer of agricultural land in Bataan, Central Luzon, to a private corporation that was at the time involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations.
According to the NBI, complaints have been filed and statements provided by between 15 and 20 farmers who claim that parcels of land covered by Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAS) were transferred to the corporation without the required clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
The corporation in question is said to have links to personalities that include former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
The NBI said preliminary information indicates possible falsification of documents in the processing and transfer of the land titles, raising serious concerns over the legality and validity of the transactions.
“The NBI-NCR (National Capital Region) is presently undertaking a thorough case build-up to determine the existence of probable cause and identify all individuals who may be held criminally liable,” it said.
“The Bureau assures the public that the investigation will be conducted impartially and in accordance with existing laws, particularly those protecting agrarian reform beneficiaries.”
The controversial POGO industry was officially banned as of 1 January 2025 following an order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during his State of the Nation Address in mid-2024.
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