Nelson Morales

LRay Villafuerte confirms fencing off property in CamSur, denies 'land grabbing' claim

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. confirmed Monday that Wanderlust Land Development Corporation has fenced off a large portion of land in the province but denied claims of massive land grabbing. Speaking to DZMM, Villafuerte claimed the purchase of more than 1,014 hectares of land by a corporation owned by the Villafuerte family was done legally.He said the property owned by the Navarro family had an existing title issued in 1941, superseding the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law in 1988.The governor said the land was deemed “alienable, disposable” by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and had a certificate of non-coverage by the Department of Agrarian Reform. The title was later transferred to Wanderlust Land Development Corporation in 2024.Villafuerte denied claims by Camarines Sur&#x27;s 4th District Rep. Arnie Fuentebella that there is tension in the area after Wanderlust started fencing off some 300 hectares in Siruma, Camarines Sur in January this year.“Walang nagreklamong naka-bonnet. Walang naka-blotter po. Walang nagreklamong nanggugulo,” he said.“Bilang property owner since 2024, two years na nga, peaceful naman, binabakuran po para wala naman mag-encroach. Kung meron mang taong nasa loob, wala naman pinapaalis,” he added.He also confirmed that DAR issued certificates of land ownership awards covering 458 hectares of the area in June 2025 but did not question it.“Tinanong po namin ‘yung DAR: ‘Bakit kayo nag-issue nang CLOA e titled ‘yan?’ Ang sabi, &#x27;di namin alam na may title ‘yan. So &#x27;di namin kasalanan ‘yan. Nevertheless, never kami nagpaalis,” he said.About claims that the area covers timberland that is owned by the state, he said: “Dadaanin po natin sa proseso ‘yan. Pwede naman magkasuhan...Pwede naman kasuhan kami.&quot;He also said he is open to an investigation by Congress and accused Fuentebella of making up stories.In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Fuentebella earlier said unidentified men wearing masks started erecting fences across a 300-hectare area in Barangay San Ramon, Siruma and Daldagon Peak starting January 28, 2026.“They did not have permits, there was no prior consultation with local government or residents. The unidentified men gave no explanation to residents,” he said.He said he later found out that the area is being claimed by Wanderlust Land Development Corporation, which is owned by the Villafuerte family.He noted a land title claimed by Wanderlust allegedly covered 1,014.92 hectares, including “timberland areas owned by the state, agricultural lands of private ownership as well as portions of the sea.”“Pati karagatan nakasama sa titulo,” he told DZMM. Fuentebella said the land title was secured in 2023 but noted that the Department of Agrarian Reform issued certificates of land ownership awards (CLOA) covering 458 hectares in June 2025. “Paano mo matititulohan na may CLOA?” he asked.The congressman is urging the House of Representatives committee on good government and accountability to investigate the incident. <div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VwfUm6eGgbE?&amp;t=14sautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. confirmed Monday that Wanderlust Land Development Corporation has fenced off a large portion of land in the province but denied claims of massive land grabbing.

Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. confirmed Monday that Wanderlust Land Development Corporation has fenced off a large portion of land in the province but denied claims of massive land grabbing.