KMP-Negros revive calls to scrap ‘flawed’ agrarian reform law

By Ma. Ester L. Espina, Reporter

BACOLOD CITY: With the recent death of two farmer beneficiaries and the wounding of several others in Hacienda Velez-Malaga, La Castellana town, Negros Occidental, calls for the scrapping of the “flawed” agrarian reform law has been revived.

Claiming that it has not benefited poor farmers but consolidated the stronghold of big landowners, militant groups’ Kilu sang Mang bubukid Pilipinas-Negros, Pamalakaya, and the biggest labor group in the sugar industry, the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), slammed the “fake” CARP law and will oppose plans to extend it.

The three groups also condemned the killing of the two members of Task Force Ma palad (TFM) last Monday saying this shows a “glaring failure” of CARP. However, they also criticized TFM for giving “false hopes” to their members in owning land.

Meanwhile, local police also blamed TFM for “failing to coordinate” with authorities before barging into the contested Malaga property that resulted to the death of Alejandro Garcesa and Ely Tupas and the wounding of six others.

Members of the Regional Mobile Group who were in the area and tasked to prevent any violence told investigators that they advised TFM members to wait for instructions from their superiors regarding their intent to enter the contentious property.

PO1 Rolly Padasas, detachment commander said, they were waiting for “clearance” but before it could be given and they could lend assistance to TFM farmers, “they already entered the area and started cutting down standing crops.”

Negotiations for the standing crops planted by management-allied workers are still ongoing when the incident happened.

Meanwhile, the management of Cornerstone Security Agency, whose three blue guards were identified to have shot at the TFM members, assured police that they will help ensure their guards surrender peacefully and face whatever charges will be filed against them.

Charges of homicide and frustrated homicide are being prepared against security guards, Warren Fernandez, Ramy Se bungga and Felix Sadica.

TFM on the other hand has called for the resignation of DAR Sec. Nasser Panganda man, which the latter has decried to be “unfair.” In interviews with local media, Pangan daman scored TFM for seeking his resignation after “doing everything we can to hasten the implementation. But when something bad happens they are quick to call for my resignation” when two months ago TFM even lauded the agrarian chief for installing their members despite a pending case before the Supreme Court.

TFM also tried to link Rep. Ignacio Arroyo to landowner, Roberto Cuenca, as one of the reason why Malaga continues to resist land distribution.

Arroyo however told Manila Times “TFM is trying to find fault for their failure to coordinate with proper authorities.” Arroyo also said he has never hidden the fact that he and Cuenca share a common grandchild fathered by Cuenca’s son and his daughter.

“However, both are now happily married to their spouses and I hope they will not be dragged into this,” Arroyo said, adding that he is still bent on seeking for a review of the CARP and will oppose any extension when the 14th Congress opens.

“So much violence has happened because of the flawed implementation of the program which has not uplifted the lives of the farmers at all,”

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