Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 627)
The main purpose of Act No. 627 is to bring all lands within military reservations and lands desired to be purchased by the United States government for military purposes under the operation of the Land Registration Act, ensuring proper registration and determination of ownership.
All lands or buildings, or any interest therein, within the Philippine Islands lying within the boundaries of areas declared as military reservations are brought under the operation of the Land Registration Act.
The Commanding General of the United States Army, Division of the Philippines certifies that public lands have been reserved for military purposes.
The Civil Governor must notify the judge of the Court of Land Registration in writing that the lands have been reserved and that all private lands within those limits should be brought under the Land Registration Act.
The judge must issue a notice stating the reservation for military purposes, requiring claims for private lands, buildings, or interests within six months, and that failure to present claims will bar ownership and render lands public.
The notice must be published once a week for three weeks in two newspapers (one English, one Spanish), posted conspicuously at boundary angles, and personally served on persons living or possessing the land, with certificates of publication and service maintained.
Claims not presented within six months are forever barred and the lands, buildings, or interests are deemed public property.
Yes, the court may allow late claims within three months after the six-month period upon proof of fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence.
Claims and applications filed are processed under the Land Registration Act, with expedited proceedings and precedence over other registrations, and rights of appeal are preserved.
Sections 38 to 42 of Act No. 190, the Code of Procedure in civil actions, apply to such lands for titles acquired by possession, even if otherwise public lands.
The Commanding General certifies to the Civil Governor, who then notifies the Court of Land Registration to bring such lands under the Land Registration Act for ownership determination and registration, with a six-month filing period for claims.
Claims will be barred, and the lands will be conclusively adjudged public lands, allowing the government to purchase or utilize them for military purposes.
The Act took effect immediately upon its passage on February 9, 1903.