Life goes on…
Life means: existence, vitality, condition and exercise functional powers…
Innumerable people read about my personal legal battles. Once again I like to thank Bob for giving space also on his own blog - as well as John. Actually I am not that man, who loves to tell a lot about very personal things. But what happened to me and my family should be voiced out, so that everybody, who read this, might learn some things; especially if you are an ex pat or you plan to settle down in this (for me still) wonderful country now or in near future.
Please allow me to recall my personal problem, even Bob posted already an article some days ago:
My wife owned a lot in NCCC-Village almost twenty years ago. It was the place, where she was born and where she grew up with her family. We received a “clean land title” (issued in Quezon City!). We ordered a new land surveying before we asked a constructor to build up a fence (wall). Our main gate (entrance) has been installed at the Eastern boundary of our lot, because the land title stated a “15 meters wide Provincial Road following our whole Eastern boundary”. Very clear, isn’t it?
At first, a three-families-house for some relatives has been constructed during the 1990s. After this we got the building permit for our own 200 sqm big house - of course fronting our main entrance, where also electricity and water meters have been installed.
In 1997 we have been informed, that the half of the Provincial Road “has been titled and the area was sold to - the contractor of our fence. The second half of the road - still fronting our boundary was still vacant. Later we got the information about a “land swapping” (?). Many more documents followed - meanwhile there are more then only two existing land titles. If you ask me, how this could be possible - mmh: must I give you an answer???
To make the story short: the last (new?) “owner” blocked our main gate and entrance - now since almost three weeks. You know the story already. He even got a fencing permit by submitting wrong and false documents. He is also still claiming to have a land title and he can do all “those things”.
Life goes on…
Tomorrow will be the last (of four) barangay hearings. Up to now the “new owner” refuses to present his documents. He refuses to give us free access - BUT he offered us to shoulder all expenses for opening our back yard (?)…
Life goes on…
Meanwhile we sent a written complaint to our good mayor thru the office of a city councilor, who is a good friend of us. Our case was already part of two council hearings.
The power of media: some days ago a TV-team from GMA visited us and screened a several minutes long report. In an interview my wife appealed again and asked our mayor for help. When the TV team tried to interview the partner of the “new owner”, the only comment was NO COMMENTS.
Our case has been also published in a daily from Davao City. Luckily the Chief Editor is also our friend since many years.
Yes, as everybody knows, I am also a Rotarian from East Davao. During the last luncheon meeting my case has been discussed - and, some of the Rotarians started already an additional way of help.
Life goes on…
We are so very thankful for the support from all over the world. Internet has also a dynamic power. Up to now I wasn’t yet able to reply all emails I have received during the last two weeks. Please bear with me. If we need legal help, we will take your offer, because some attorneys offered already their help. It is very sure, that we will move on, if - yes if our main gate will be opened one day. My mother-in-law is still suffering because of the stroke. We have to carry her always through our very little back yard door, because no ambulance can stop there: it’s an abandoned road - a better pathway… . - How about a fire brigade…???
Life goes on… . It must. While waiting for a fast and positive resolution we continue our life so good we can. I am still teaching German lessons in USEP, doing my write ups and translations, because my main office (with business permit by the way) … is in our house (?)! For consultations I got another office somewhere in Davao, by the way free of charge…
Life goes on… because of valuable friends, because of many unique supporters and because of a little bit influence we have. If not, we would surrender. God bless you all!!!
Life goes on… because I still love this country and its people. I embrace you again heartily…
Hi Klaus,
Wow, all this makes my head dizzy. You and your lovely family have been through so many troubles that you had no control over. It saddens me to know that such nice people and good citizens suffer so grieviously at the hands of cold-hearted people.
I hope these meetings will resolve everything to your satisfaction and peace of mind. I wish you all well and God speed.
Karen
Hi Klaus: Life goes on indeed. I admire the way you and your family have fought back, Klaus, and I sincerely hope that this case is resolved favorably very soon.
And thank you for loving the Philippines that much.
Cheers!
Hi Karen, thanks for your heartily comment and your concern. I am sure, everything will be fine. I know a lot of people watch TV, read a newspaper and click liveinthephilippines. A lot of people help and pray.
Hi Migs, we also like to thank you for your nice comment and your moral support. Sure, why should I stop loving the Philippines? Because of a handful criminals, who think they are only strong with armed body guards and strong by cheating other people because they have more money then me?
of course, it happened everywhere in the world. My case is here, living in the Philippines. And once again, I am sure everything will be alright. 
I can fully empathize how you and family must have felt upon seeing the fence enclosing your property in Bob Martin´s column.
In hindsight, I wish you and Rosanna had gone to the police immediately to file a complaint and ask them to accompany you to see if the armed men have valid licenses for their firearms and proper permits to carry them in public? If none, the police can right then and there arrest these men and confiscate their firearms.
If it is of any consolation Klaus, I saw on TV news few months ago, a similar situation happened to several residents in a “Dorf” in Hessen region (Germany). An elderly lady fenced the entire road which she claimed was her own property, allegedly illegally squatted by the developer and town administration when they developed and build the housing subdivision in the area. She complained about this for a long time but no action was taken by the local government. So, she took matters in her hands and fenced off the entire road which she claimed was part of her land, effectively enclosing the residents. They cannot drive out their cars from their driveways and they have to walk in a very narrow alley to get to their houses. The many residents
affected of course complained. After several days, the local government removed the fence while they were settling the dispute. I don´t know now what happened to this case. No follow up news was made about it again.
I hope you have a good lawyer working hard on your case so the fence is removed soon meanwhile that the other issues regarding validity of the ownership of the land and/or easement rights are threshed out in court.
Keep on appealing your case too to the local government to help settle this problem by way of a two-prong approach. Who knows, there may even be people in the local government who can broker a peaceful settlement or compromise of this matter by opening sufficient road right of way for your car´s entrance and exit, even as the other legal issues are contested and finally settled by the court.
I commend you of your level-headed approach Klaus.
Despite this present intolerable situation that you and your family are in now, you still maintain a broad minded perspective about our country and its people.
Violence will only beget violence, and you have your family´s safety too to consider.
Note that some, if not most Filipinos´ egos are easily bruised by foreigners from first world countries shoving to their faces how good things are in their land of origin and how bad things can be in the Philipppines. Us Pinoys already know this, no need to rub this off like salt to a wound.
This will only raise nationalist pride (negatively) and will not win them to your side. Besides, there is so much to appreciate about the Philippines and its people, even as there is a lot to gripe about.
Though I certainly can´t blame you if in private, you vent out your bile
against some of the incompetent and insensitive and even heartless people swirling around you now. It will be good for your health to steam off toxic feelings.
And yes, we will contribute to your legal fund in our little way should this case drags on and become such a big financial drain.
Meantime, we join those people praying for you and your family and for the settlement of this case for the best of all concerned.
We can only hope that this news will not have a wider negative effect upon other foreigners who wish to invest or settle in Davao City.
An early and clear resolution of this case would not only be to your family´s interest but for Davao City´s good image as well… as a peaceful city where the rule of law prevails.
Klaus… Again, your problem is absolutely an abomination. I truly wish that things go well for you tomorrow and that this guy gets what’s coming to him. Stay strong.
Hi I.M. Schneider, i appreciate very much your long and unique as well as heartily comment.
As I said before, 911 and the police didn’t do anything, even when I called their assistance to get an ambulance or doctor to rescue my mother. When I asked the 911 officer, if he would have a MOTHER AND WHAT HE WOULD DO, he didn’t give any answer. It was indeed difficult do avoid toxic feelings. Up to now I get ’special offers’. Thank you guys, really thank you, but this is not my way how to solve a problem. I.M. Schneider, thank you so much for your comment, your concern and your prayers. As I said; everything will be fine. There is also a Lord’s justice…
Hi John Miele, thank you very much. I am sure, everything will be fine. And, I believe in GOD… .
Has the news video been made available on the Internet and is there a link to it ? It is encouraging that you are making progress in regaining access to your property.
If something like this ever happened to me and I could prove clear title, I’d be out there with a bulldozer and if the neighbor has so called ” Armed Guards ” , I would hire a crew that would out number them so I would be sure the competition would vanish quickly.
It is also very encouraging that you have made so many local friends and acquaintences that are working to get this situation straightened out. Best of luck to you and your family.
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice”
- Dr Martin Luther King
Hi Bob New York, I am not sure if there is a link to the video. I will check it asap, because the TV Team might also join us today. The last barangay hearing will be at 2 p.m. - Your bulldozer idea is still in the mind of many people. But as foreigner you can be easily deported. Imagine, the “new owner” also inform the local police, THAT WE HARASSED HIM
. Anyway thanks a lot for your concern and your good wishes… 
Hi Macky, thanks for this wonderful quotation. it’s really very true…
Klaus,
I have read about your problem and also have heard as you must have, there is an egress law that no landlocked property can be blocked accesses to a road, but here there are always twists.
I pray for you, your mom and Rose.
I now understand why you could not make my Wedding Reception Party last sunday.
I wish you all the best and miss seeing you all.
Bruce
Hi Klaus,
I sent you an email. Please follow my suggestion. We will all be happy to hear that this has been resolved.
Take care always…
Hi Bruce, thanks for your concern and your nice words. yup, we couldn’t make it but we wish you both all our best from the bottom of our hearts. My mother-in-law needs a special treatment. Luckily her memory is back but she will remain paralysed for ever. Mo own mother is trying to survive with a special medical treatment. We all pray that she will really enjoy her 85th birthday next month. We miss you too - but please bear with us… God bless you all…
Hi Tina, thanks a lot. I got your email. We will not hesitate your brother for a legal council, even we work together with two other attorneys. Today we got a lot more evidences for our own good. But, that’s now the time, I am no more allowed to publish any details… - Again salamat po and we surely keep in touch. I think I met your brother already a couple of months ago. i know, he was an avid listener of my radio show…
Hi to all my readers: There is a special German guy in Digos City, who tries to post threads against me and my family here in LiP and in a German website. He actually owns a beach resort in Digos City. I blocked him already here in LiP and in the German website. It seems that there are still people outside who enjoy putting salt into our wounds. Honestly I DON’T CARE, but this guy seems to be very unhappy living as ex pat here in the Philippines….
Hi Klaus,
It is a long time now since I heard of your plight with this fence being errected to bar entrance to your property. I was just wondering if the matter was yet resolved?
Best wishes anyway,
Jim
Hi Jim, thanks for your concern. yeah, it has been already a couple weeks ago. The problem is not yet solved, but it will. It’s now a dealing between our barangay and the different departments of the City of Davao. Fact is; it’s a governal road (15 meters wide). The “opening’ or ‘re-opening’ of this road is already decided, because in these areas of Davao City, which badly need relief routes: three new malls (Robinson, Ayala and SM) are already under construction in those areas. We still use our back yard door - and we are full of hope, BECAUSE LIFE INDEED WENT ON!!!
Not familiar with land matter but i would have thought most if not all lands must have road reserved so that there will be no dispute on right of way. I hope this matter has been solved if not yet..the decision be in favor to you.
Hi Fun, thanks for stopping by. In this case, parts of a provincial road have been “titled” - of course it’s a funny law, if you really like to describe this as “law”. Fact is: this road will be reopen, means to say, the decision will be in favour of me and all my in-laws living in our compound…