MANILA -- The manager of the controversial Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort insisted that they were issued the necessary permits for the construction of their resort.

According to Julieta Sablas, they know that their property is part of a protected area, but they cannot use the land for farming since the soil is “acidic”.

Her brother, Edgar Buton, owns the resort. She said he might have decided to build a resort because of the scenery in the area.

“Aware na kami na protected area, pero mayroon namang mga kailangang gawin para mabigyan ng clearance,” she told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Wednesday night, hours after their resort went viral on social media.

READ: Viral Chocolate Hills resort ordered closed due to violation -- DENR

However, she admitted that they failed to get an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Sablas also defended the resort from negative comments online, adding that they did not destroy the Chocolate Hills.

“Sila lang po ang nagsasabi na nakakasira, pero kapag nandito po kayo sa area namin, talagang hindi po eh,” she said.

She likewise said they are willing to cooperate should the government start investigating, but added that other tourism establishments in the area be investigated as well.

“Sana patas, patas ‘yung gagawin nilang imbestigasyon. Hindi lang po Captain’s Peak Resort,” Sablas said.

Sablas asserted they are protecting the Chocolate Hills, and that they are not doing anything wrong.

“Sana before po ‘yung negative comments ninyo, siguro mas maganda po na magtanong tanong muna tayo kung talagang mayroon po kaming nilabag na sinisira po namin ‘yung Chocolate Hills po,” she said.

“Kasi kapag nandito po kayo sa area, wala po talaga kaming nilabag, na Chocolate Hills na sinira namin or ano pang ginagawa namin. ‘Yung Chocolate Hills iniingatan po namin,” Sablas added.