Deal #9829 Version #93142

Members of the indigenous Pala’wan and Molbog tribes, as well as long-time resident small fishers, in the areas surrounding Bugsuk Island in the Municipality of Balabac in Southern Palawan.

Despite the presence of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), there has been loopholes created around the process, wherein there was a lack of due process

There have been multiple instances of non-consultation with the local communities. Often only approached and told to vacate the area for the development of the different projects in their lands. Local IP's and communities were not consulted when a Subject Municipal Ordinance granted in February 24, 2005 which made the fishing waters and shore a protected area, dismissing access for locals to the land and sea.

As this land investment has progressed, locals have all been vocal of their dislike of SMC's presence on the island due to the unjust land grabbing and treatment occurred to them.

In 2014, there were multiple demonstrations held by the farmers and partner NGO's in the advocacy. There were multiple camp-outs outside government institutions due to the unjust process of land grabbing. There were also reports of ill-treatment of locals, some even being harmed which sparked more dislike for the presence of the investor

According to local community members, they were forced out of their land and evicted in order to run the business fully

Local IPs had shared that the project has derailed their living conditions. They had lost access to their ancestral domain and source of livelihood in the ocean access. Their materials had also been confiscated by the investors security. The coconut farm was included in a large scandal, known as the Coco Levy Fund, wherein an alleged 2 billion pesos was stollen from the farmers all over the Philippines In 2004, there were reports stating that a lobbying by Jewelmer pushed for the local council to declare the area as a strict, marine protected eco zone and have argued that the move was to prevent the Indigenous Peoples and the local community to stop activities as they were the responsible for environmental destruction Indigenous and non-indigenous fisherfolk from the surrounding communities caught fishing within the perimeter of the pearl farm were harassed, shot at, ill-treated and illegally detained.

The Palawan NGO Network, Inc. PAKISAMA - aided in the coco levy march and became staunched allies of the IPs and locals to this date Samahan ng mga Katutubo at Maliit na Mangingisda sa Dulong Timog Palawan (SAMILBOG) Taskforce Bugsuk (TFB) - served as an outlet for locals to demonstrate their dislike of the presence of the investments and investors