Certification and Notification Procedure
- Commanding General of the U.S. Army in the Philippines must certify to the Civil Governor that specified lands are reserved for military purposes.
- Civil Governor must notify the judge of the Court of Land Registration in writing about the reservation and the necessity to bring all lands, buildings, and interests under the Land Registration Act.
Court of Land Registration's Role and Public Notice
- Upon notification, the judge must issue a notice that lands are reserved for military purposes and that claims must be registered within six months.
- Failure to present claims within this period results in lands being conclusively public.
- The notice must be published weekly for three consecutive weeks in two newspapers (one English, one Spanish) in the locality or Manila.
- Copies of the notice must be posted visibly at boundary angles and personally served to persons residing or in possession of the land.
- The clerk's certificate of publication, posting, and service is conclusive proof.
Claims and Application Filing
- Claims must be filed within six months after notice issuance or be forever barred.
- The Court may allow late filing within three additional months on proof of fraud, accident, mistake, or excusable negligence.
- Procedures for registration follow "The Land Registration Act" provisions and appellate rights apply.
- The court has the duty to expedite these proceedings and give them precedence.
Application of Civil Procedure
- Sections 38 to 42 of Act No. 190 (Philippine Civil Procedure Code) apply to lands not exceeding sixteen hectares within military reservations.
- This applies even if such lands would otherwise be considered public but for titles obtained through said sections.
Acquisition of Private Lands for Military Purchase
- When the U.S. military wishes to purchase privately owned lands outside military reservations for military purposes and titles are uncertain, the Commanding General must so certify and describe the lands.
- The Civil Governor must notify the Court of Land Registration to bring such lands under the Land Registration Act.
- The court issues notice for claim registration within six months, similar to military reservation lands.
- Same procedural rules and protections apply.
Expedited Enactment and Effectivity
- The Act’s passage is expedited under existing procedural laws.
- The Act takes effect immediately upon its passage on February 9, 1903.
This comprehensive framework ensures the prompt registration and clear determination of land titles within military areas and lands sought by the U.S. government for military use, providing safeguards through notice, claim filing periods, and judicial procedures under the Land Registration Act.