Mayor Lemuel "Toto" T. Reyes of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has issued a strong appeal for heightened community vigilance following a concerning incident at the city hall involving a group of unfamiliar individuals.
Mayor's Call for Community Watchfulness
In a public statement released on January 9, 2026, Mayor Reyes directly addressed all Samaleños. He asked them to be observant and cautious of people they do not recognize who may be engaging in suspicious activities or illegally occupying land. "I am asking all Samaleños to be vigilant and wary," the Mayor stated, urging the immediate reporting of such persons to barangay officials, the police, or city hall authorities for proper verification.
The Incident That Prompted the Warning
The mayor's warning was triggered by a specific event at the Igacos City Hall. A group identifying themselves as members of Indigenous Communities (ICs) presented themselves as native residents of Samal island. However, upon verification by local authorities, they were confirmed to be non-residents of the island.
Reyes explained that the local government unit guided the group through the appropriate procedures and coordinated with other agencies to provide any necessary assistance through legal channels. He emphasized that the goal of the local government is to ensure order, peace, and welfare for everyone, applied without favoritism or discrimination but in accordance with clear laws.
Maintaining Samal's Peaceful Community
Mayor Reyes stressed that public cooperation is fundamental to preserving the peace and order that Samal is known for. He reiterated the local government's respect for the culture and people of the island, describing Samal as an organized and peaceful city.
The call for vigilance comes as the island's population continues to grow. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data from the 2024 Census of Population, Samal had a population of 119,701 as of July 1, 2024. This marks an increase from the approximately 116,771 residents recorded in the 2020 census.
