The Baguio City Council, through Resolution 482-2026, upheld the status quo arrangement regarding land disputes in all military reservations and pushed for a joint relocation survey to finally determine the exact boundaries of a contested Camp Allen property amid the ongoing dispute between the Philippine Military Academy and World War II veterans’ representatives.
The City Council’s move stemmed from a complaint raised by representatives of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) and the families of World War II veterans regarding the alleged unauthorized entry and ongoing construction activities of PMA representatives within a contested portion of land in Camp Allen Barangay.
During the regular session on June 1, 2026, USAFIP-NL representatives Edward Awas and Johnny Garcia, along with Board of Trustees Chairperson Theresa Pomar, claimed that Army Lt. Col. Julesther Cañada, PMA’s real estate officer, had entered the disputed property without prior notice and brought construction materials intended for development works. They alleged that the entry was accompanied by armed personnel which they said created tension and prevented them from properly engaging on-site.
Awas and Garcia further maintained that the area in question is subject to a previously agreed status quo arrangement and is pending a joint relocation survey intended to clearly determine the boundaries between properties claimed by the group and those under the military reservation. They asserted that any ground activity would have been deferred until the survey was completed.
Meanwhile, Pomar stressed that the property has historical significance tied to World War II veterans and is intended for memorial purposes, particularly as part of a designated veterans’ park area. She also expressed concern over what she described as disregard for the veterans’ claims and prior understandings regarding the side.
Pomar recalled that PMA had previously managed fencing the area which she interpreted as acknowledgment of its veteran-related designation.
Garcia explained that a joint relocation survey had already been attempted previously, with the participation of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, Department of Environment and Natural resources, USAFIP-NL, and PMA. However, it failed to proceed because of disagreements over who should conduct the survey.
He added that despite existing survey plans identifying specific land allocations, the lack of a completed survey has left the exact boundaries unresolved. He also alleged that further entry into the contested area continued despite efforts to finalize the schedule of the survey.
It can be remembered that the City Council previously passed Resolution 253-2025 directing the observance of a status quo on land disputes and demolition order within the military reservations of Navy Base Barangay, Camp Allan Barangay, and PMA and suspending related land processing actions until all legal issues and appeals are fully resolved and discussed among all concerned agencies.
The City Council, through Resolution 482-2026, reiterated the observance of the said status quo arrangement, citing the need to uphold justice and fairness for all parties involved. It also urged that the stalled relocation survey be continued, with DENR-CAR identified as the appropriate agency to ensure neutrality and technical accuracy in the process.
The City Council is open to a dialogue with PMA representatives to hear and consider its position on the matter. **Jordan G. Habbiling
