The agrarian reform problem in Brgy. Quiwi. Hinigaran, yesterday turned from bad to worse after Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Myra Mercano was almost held hostage allegedly by a group of farmer beneficiaries occupying a disputed property in the town.

Mercano, the police blotter of Hinigaran said, claimed she was held against her will by a group of farmer beneficiaries who are occupying the 54-hectare disputed property of Estanislao Yusay in Hacienda Yusay, Brgy. Quiwi, Hinigaran, at about 5:15 p.m. yesterday.

This happened almost a week after a security guards hired by the Yusay family identified as Bernie Miraflor allegedly shot farmer beneficiary Alberto Presquito on March 6, police records show.

Presquito is presently being treated for gunshot wounds at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City, while Miraflor who gave himself up to the Hinigaran police and surrendered his 12-gauge shotgun, is now locked up in jail.

PO3 Edgar Niuda, Hinigaran PNP Desk Officer, said Mercano was shaken and complained about not feeling well because of her ordeal.

The 32 farmer beneficiaries expressed their dismay over the failure of the Department of Land Reform to install them in the property, although it was awarded to them in December 2003 in a statement they issued.

Niuda said the farmer beneficiaries are demanding the pull-out of tractors and cargo trucks parked near their tents, as well as the security guards hired by Yusay.

He also said the agrarian reform beneficiaries also demanded that the negotiation between the hacienda management and their group should be done in Brgy. Quiwi, Hinigaran and in the presence of Senior Inspector Regidor Alvarado and DLR representatives.

Senior Supt. Charles Calima, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday asked the farmer beneficiaries to remain calm and exhaust all peaceful means to resolve the problem.

Calima and regional police chief Doroteo Reyes are also slated to meet with DLR officials today in Iloilo City, to discuss the scheduled installation of farmer beneficiaries in Hacienda Malaga Velez in La Castellana.

The installation of farmer beneficiaries affiliated with Task Force Mapalad was postponed several times due to legal impediments, police records show.

Calima said they want to make sure that there will be no violence if the installation of TFM members push through, as he anticipates resistance from a rival group of agrarian reform beneficiaries identified with the hacienda management.*GPB

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