At the top of this segment, we took you to Glasgow Scotland, for COP 26…but far from the academic air of that climate change conference we go now to the sanguinary rush of a legit land grab in Toledo East.
Today, our colleagues at PGTV captured Land activist Nigel Petillo on a move with a major PUP operator in Toledo East.
They were clearing a tract of government land with the intent to occupy it - of course, without getting any approval from the land department.
It seems to be a move orchestrated with at leats the tacit consent of their PUP Area Rep Mike Espat - and it is sending a clear message to Espat's colleague, Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde.
Here's how the PUP's Enfield Moreira epxlained the justification to PGTV...
Enfield Moreira, PUP Toledo West
"I have nothing to hide, I am a stalwart member of the People's United Party and we believe in land distribution and equity. However, I've been around too long when it comes to politics and I realize most of our young black brothers in Punta Gorda Town and surrounding areas no have nowhere to go. When you go to the land's office, the push around, no more land. The Honorable Cordel Hyde mentioned to us he will find land, but when. I support Cordel and my party, however my people comes first at the end of the day, because I will live amongst my people. Most of these poor young brothers here, they struggle and they have no land. The white man come in this country without a dollar and say they have money and they hurry give them a thousand acres they tur around and sell it and go out of this country. SO what is hard for them to give some of these young people here 5 and 10 acres. We could turn this into a coconut farm and produce coconut. The mill is not far from here."
Nigel Petillo, land activist
"We understand the land we are chopping right now is lands that have been surveyed, government land, but wasnt really issued and so while the minister came to this community and mentioned to them that let us find the land and if its reserve, he will de-reserve it for them. Next side of the highway we understand this is reserve land, so the idea is to ask the government to re-reserve this is that is the case. So we came to find land."
Enfield Moreira, PUP Toledo West
"I know there may be concerns that Nigel Petillo is in PG`. NIgel Petillo is no land king for Enfield Moreira, because I didn't vote for Nigel Petillo, I voted for Mike Espat and I voted for the People's United Party, but he come and lend a helping hand and who will not support any hand. So I don't want nobody the post and question who is Nigel Petillo, but the man come and lend a helping hand to black brothers and this is what we need to start to appreciate, because a lot of them who is pointing fingers and want to know, the get their land from their parents and they are close to some minister, they could get their land quick, fast and hurry. However, these are young black people and I am happy that Mr. Petillo is here to support us."
Reporter
"So the area rep familiar with this movement?"
Enfield Moreira, PUP Toledo West
"I briefed off MIke Saturday. Well, you know Mike have always been supportive when it comes to local man. Lots of people doesn't seem him as that, because they don't see him every day, Up to last night I briefed him, because I know that will call him and say Enfield is out there."
Reporter
"What was his response?"
Enfield Moreira, PUP Toledo West
"He didn't get back to me, but sure, Mike will not be negative once its young black people, I could tell you that,"
WE'll keep following this story.
