Agho Island Explained

Agho
Map:Philippines
Map Relief:yes
Coordinates:11.2261°N 123.195°W
Archipelago:Concepcion Islands
Waterbody:Visayan Sea
Area Km2:0.09
Country:Philippines
Country Admin Divisions Title:Region
Country Admin Divisions:Western Visayas
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Province
Country Admin Divisions 1:Iloilo
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Municipality
Country Admin Divisions 2:Concepcion

Agho Island is a small, mostly uninhabited island in northeastern Iloilo, Philippines. It is part of the municipality of Concepcion.

Location and geography

Agho Island is 7 nautical miles east of Panay Island in the Visayan Sea. It is in a channel between Igbon Island and Malangabang Island.[1] Quiniluban Island is to the northwest. The island is home to tropical birds, including sea hawks and Tabon birds.[2]

History

Japanese soldiers landed on Agho during World War II, although they did not stay as they had a garrison in nearby Bagungon Island. The island is currently owned by the Villarias clan, who own the island's resort and sari-sari store.

In 1980 or 81, a couple arrived on Agho Island with the claim that the island has been given to them by then-president Ferdinand Marcos. This couple, variously American or Australian and named as Thomas and Terry Cook or Kurt, hired locals to build a cottage on Agho. At first, relations between the couple and the locals were friendly; however, after the cottage was completed the couple posted an armed guard and dogs on the property to keep out intruders.[3] Tensions between the couple and the locals grew and eventually the authorities were called in. On 19 August 1988, Narcom (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) found 1,000 plants on the property that were believed to be cocoa plants, although some officials disputed this claim. The couple had left the island two years earlier, after Marcos's fall from power.

Transport

Agho is a 30-minute pumpboat ride from Concepcion.

See also

External links

http://www.rmgorrieza.co.uk/agho-island-concepcion-iloilo/

Notes and References

  1. Book: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Reuben Jacob Christman. United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands, Part 1. 1919. U.S. Government Printing Office. 225. 16 June 2014.
  2. Web site: Villa. Hazel. Agho Island: a dreamy island of many stories and surprises. Yahoo News. 17 June 2014.
  3. Web site: Vidal. Alex. Did Narcom commit a mea culpa in Concepcion, Iloilo 'coca' plant?. 23 June 2014.