The Commission on Human Rights has already started probing the alleged existence of an armed group that reportedly harassed the three families contesting the ownership of a 13-hectare property with Conrado Abay, in Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto.

Romeo Baldevarona, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod CHR sub office, yesterday said their investigations will focus on the claims of three families that they were harassed by an alleged armed group.

Baldevarona said they also want to ensure a "humane treatment", if there is an eviction order to the families of Toledano, Benedicto and Española.

He added that CHR Investigator Ariel Marapo, in coordination with the police, also inspected the site of disputed property in the barangay, where an encounter also took place between an armed group and soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion last month.

Jolly Toledano had earlier linked Councilor Vicente Bacordo to the armed group who was harassing his family and his two neighbors.

On July 2, 2004, the Clerk of Court of Murcia-Salvador Benedicto Municipal Circuit Trial Courts issued a writ of demolition ordering the Negros Occidental Sheriff to demolish the improvements erected by Toledano, Espanola and Benedicto families on the portion of land belonging to the Abay family, police records show.

Two teams of 2nd Provincial Mobile Group troopers were dispatched by Senior Supt. Charles Calima to Don Salvador Benedicto, to help the town police in their operations against an independent armed group.

Calima said the 2nd PMG troopers will be placed under the supervision of Chief Inspector Leonardo Angcon, Don Salvador Benedicto police chief.

The 2nd PMG troopers will be temporarily housed at the Salvador Benedicto police station, pending the construction of police detachments in Brgy. Kumaliskis of the town, he said.*GPB

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