Members of the Mandalagan Farmers Association yesterday claimed that security guards of Active Realty Development Corp. are harassing them, preventing them from exercising their right as owners of the 48-hectare land in Mandalagan (Eroreco area), in Bacolod City.

Simplicio Alib, spokesman of the group, said the guards continue to secure the area, instilling fear among the farmers to occupy the land.

The farmers' allegation was however denied by ARDC lawyer Adoniram Pamplona. He said that if the farmers were harassed or intimidated by the security guards, they should file a complaint before the proper authorities. He also said the media is not the proper forum to air their complaints against ARDC.

Alib, on the other hand, called on the provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform to implement its September 11, 2000 order which awarded the land to the farmer beneficiaries.

Providing a background to the case, Romulo Deles, lawyer of the farmers said that ownership of the land was given to the farmers based on Presidential Decree 27 which took effect on October 21, 1972.

The validity of the farmers' claim was sustained by the Court of Appeals, he said.

Alib also said that, aside from harassment from the guards of ARDC, some of their members were also ejected from the area based on court orders secured by the corporation.

He said some of them were offered P10,000 to voluntarily leave the place. The offer was made without an assurance of relocation, Alib said.

Since their ownership of the land has been decided with finality, the farmers group also claimed that it is imperative for DAR to officially install them as rightful owner of the contested area.*NAB

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