OSJ-2007-pc Opinión sobre titularidad de terrenos ... - LexJuris
OSJ-2007-pc Opinión sobre titularidad de terrenos ... - LexJuris
OSJ-2007-pc Opinión sobre titularidad de terrenos ... - LexJuris
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Consulta Núm. 07-130-B<br />
Página Núm. 15<br />
It will be seen that the government inclu<strong>de</strong>d the un<strong>de</strong>rwater area in<br />
their lease. The bill of complaint alleges that the tract, including the<br />
un<strong>de</strong>rwater area, belonged to the United States. We do not think it<br />
necessary to discuss the action of the people in the insular government<br />
with reference to this un<strong>de</strong>rwater area. So far as this suit is concerned,<br />
we think this question is settled by the ten<strong>de</strong>r by Comman<strong>de</strong>r Baker of<br />
a quitclaim <strong>de</strong>ed to the insular government. This ten<strong>de</strong>red <strong>de</strong>ed was to<br />
“release, relinquish, and quitclaim in favor of the people of Porto Rico<br />
any right, title, or interest which he has or may have by virtue of the<br />
said lease of July 15, 1921, to the submerged area.” It seems clear to<br />
us that, if the insular government in fact owned this area, the lease<br />
by the United States to Baker was a nullity to this extent, and, if<br />
any bill of intervention were filed, it should have been directed<br />
primarily against the United States. We think the matter is covered by<br />
the offer to release by quitclaim <strong>de</strong>ed, and that, in any event, the<br />
proofs do not show that Comman<strong>de</strong>r Baker has <strong>de</strong>frau<strong>de</strong>d the<br />
government in the matter of the submerged area.<br />
Id. (énfasis suplido).<br />
E. Relleno <strong>de</strong> <strong>terrenos</strong> sumergidos aledaños al Coast Guard Parcel<br />
Así las cosas, el 26 <strong>de</strong> agosto <strong>de</strong> 1929, mediante Proclama expedida al efecto en<br />
virtud <strong>de</strong> la facultad que le confería el Artículo 7 <strong>de</strong> la Ley Jones, el Presi<strong>de</strong>nte <strong>de</strong><br />
los Estados Unidos <strong>de</strong> América traspasó al Pueblo <strong>de</strong> Puerto Rico todo <strong>de</strong>recho,<br />
título e interés <strong>de</strong> los Estados Unidos <strong>de</strong> América en ciertos <strong>terrenos</strong>, entre los<br />
cuales estaban incluidos los <strong>terrenos</strong> arrendados a Baker. Proclama <strong>de</strong>l Presi<strong>de</strong>nte<br />
<strong>de</strong> los Estados Unidos <strong>de</strong> América Núm. 1889 <strong>de</strong> 26 <strong>de</strong> agosto <strong>de</strong> 1929. Dichos<br />
<strong>terrenos</strong> compren<strong>de</strong>n el área en don<strong>de</strong> ubica el Hotel Caribe Hilton y sus<br />
<strong>de</strong>rredores. Parte <strong>de</strong> la reserva en esa área, aproximadamente cinco acres, sin<br />
embargo, fue retenida por los Estados Unidos <strong>de</strong> América para el uso <strong>de</strong>l<br />
Departamento <strong>de</strong> la Marina en el <strong>de</strong>sarrollo <strong>de</strong> servicios <strong>de</strong> comunicación. Dicha<br />
parcela llegó a ser popularmente conocida como el “Coast Guard Parcel”. Como<br />
parte <strong>de</strong> las obras <strong>de</strong> mejoras al Coast Guard Parcel, la Marina <strong>de</strong> los Estados<br />
Unidos <strong>de</strong> América rellenó un área <strong>de</strong> los <strong>terrenos</strong> sumergidos bajo la Laguna <strong>de</strong>l<br />
Condado, adyacente al Coast Guard Parcel, luego <strong>de</strong> obtener el permiso a esos