A COMPLAINT recently filed before the Office of the Ombudsman has drawn attention to an alleged land dispute in Navotas City, raising important questions about due process, property rights and the limits of government authority.
The complaint, lodged on January 24, 2026, by lawyer Nelson A. Clemente, names Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Congressman Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco, together with other local officials and police personnel, in connection with the removal of occupants from a property in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South.
The filing was made on behalf of the Heirs of Gonzales, Foundation Specialists Inc., and the Cornero family, who were tasked with overseeing the property located at the corner of R-10 Road and C-3 Road.
According to the complainants, the Cornero family was ordered to vacate the premises through an operation involving barangay officials, city government employees, and members of the Philippine National Police.
They claim the action was carried out without a court order and without just compensation.
Based on these circumstances, the complainants allege possible violations of laws governing eviction, as well as potential criminal liability for trespassing and grave coercion.
Government authorities reportedly cited Proclamation No. 817, issued in February 2025, as the basis for their actions.
The complainants, however, maintain that the proclamation itself recognizes existing private rights, which they argue should have been respected prior to any removal.
Copies of the complaint were also furnished to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Office of the President, and the PNP leadership, reflecting the complainants’ call for a broader review of the incident.
At this stage, the allegations remain unproven. It now falls upon the Office of the Ombudsman to determine whether the actions taken were lawful or if accountability is warranted.
The outcome may serve as a reminder that the exercise of public authority must always be guided by law and fairness.
