Two human rights observers from the International Peace Observers Network visited sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental following persistent reports that farmer-beneficiaries in the province are being prevented from tilling their properties, the Task Force Mapalad said in a press release.

The TFM press release also said that German nationals Johannes Richter and Janina Dannenberg, both members of IPON based in Hamburg , Germany , also documented the reported cases of killings and other agrarian-related incidents in Negros Occidental.

They visited the Hacienda Holbo in Sagay City owned by the wife of 5 th District Board Member Melvin Ibañez, and the Arroyos' Hacienda Bacan in Isabela town where they met with local leaders.

They also went to Hacienda Victoria , also in Isabela, where the farmers will be installed soon, and to Haciendas Mulawin and Holbo in Sagay City , the press release said.

Task Force Mapalad said Richter and Jannenberg will come out with the fact-finding results on their Negros visit after their Mindanao trip.*

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