CAVITE, Philippines — Members of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization staged a protest outside the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Kalibo, Aklan, calling for the return of land they claim was previously awarded to them but later taken back through a government order.

During the rally, members of the indigenous Ati people of Boracay carried banners and placards expressing frustration over the disputed property. One of the most widely circulated messages compared the policies of two Philippine administrations.

“DUTERTE: Namigay ng lupa sa mga Ati.
BBM: Binawi ang lupa.”

The reference points to the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, which the group says granted them land rights, and the current administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which they claim reversed the decision.

Another banner directly appealed to the current president to intervene in their case.

“PRES. MARCOS, NASA KAMAY MO ANG DESISYON SA AMING KASO.
Baliktarin ang Order ng DAR pabor sa mga Ati ng Boracay.”

The protesters also emphasized that the land they are claiming represents only a small portion of Boracay Island but holds deep historical and cultural significance for their community. According to them, their ancestors have long fought for recognition of their rights to the land.

One large banner carried by the group read:

“Kakarampot na lupa para sa mga Ati sa Boracay:
Inagaw na, ipinagkait pa ng administrasyong Marcos!
Nasaan ang HUSTISYA!?”

As of now, there has been no official response from the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the protest or the specific claims raised by the Ati group.

The dispute highlights the broader and long-standing issue of indigenous land rights in the Philippines, particularly in areas that have become major tourism and commercial centers like Boracay.

As tensions surrounding the land case continue, a key question remains for both policymakers and the public: How can the country balance tourism development and government land policies with the ancestral rights of indigenous communities?

(Larawan mula sa: The Bohol Monito / Facebook)