
THE management and employees of a popular beach resort in Panglao, Bohol urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into the alleged use of excessive force in the recent closure of the establishment.
The Villa Tomasa-Alona Kew Hotel Resort in Panglao town was directed to cease operation on April 16, 2024 for allegedly operating without a business permit.
However, the management said they kept on applying for a business permit but were always denied.

“We seek proper justice not only for the resort owners but also to save our employees for losing their jobs after one year since there’s still four years left on the five-year lease agreement,“ the management explained.
According to the resort’s legal team, they already sued the respondents last April 26 at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Bohol in the City of Tagbilaran or just a week after the incident that left almost 300 of employees and local and international tourists shocked.
“Victims of illegal acts at Villa Tomasa-Alona Kew Resort in Panglao Bohol have filed criminal and civil cases against those responsible for the dispossession,” the resort’s legal team said.
“They will also file proper legal action against anyone buying the hotel resort as the said victims have a valid and existing option to buy the subject property, which is in the nature of a right of first refusal. If any would be buyer cooperated with the dispossession, they too will be made liable criminally,” the legal team added.
The management of the Villa Tomasa-Alona Kew Hotel Resort has also expressed fear and utmost disappointment to the group from the local government unit for allegedly using extreme force to takeover the resort without any closure warning.

“Our 300 employees have been left traumatized up to now and all tourists were shocked after the horrible incident. That’s why we decided to file a case against individuals involved for harassment and other charges,” the management said.
The resort management added that many small business establishments and local patrons around the area were saddened by the untimely closure of one of the most visited resorts in Bohol, especially that the province is one of the fastest growing popular tourist destinations in the country.
“The once peaceful Panglao that is known for being haven for relaxation becomes a place of uncertainties,” the management said.