The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is contemplating on adopting a hands-off policy on any request, either from the Department of Agrarian Reform or farmer's groups, in the installation of agrarian reform beneficiaries on disputed areas, which have cases pending in court.

Senior Supt. Rosen do Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said that while DAR assured them there will be no legal impediments to the installation of farmer beneficiaries, citing the Hacienda Velez-Malaga case in La Castellana, yet, policemen who were doing their jobs ended up being charged in court.

While DAR also assured them of legal assistance, Franco said some retiring policemen have not been able to receive their benefits, while others were not promoted because of pending complaints related to the CARP implementation filed against them. Franco who briefed members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its regular session on their peace and order campaign in Negros Occidental, admitted that, despite being the provincial police director of Negros Occidental, he was not informed about the installation of Task Force Mapalad members on March 22 in the controversial Hacienda Velez- Malaga property. The incident had led to violence.

Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, 6th RMG director, and Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, whose men assisted DAR in the installation of TFM members in La Castellana, are among the respondents in contempt charges filed before the Supreme Court.

There were reports that Franco was bypassed by DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman because of his close association with Governor Joseph Marañon, who is very vocal against the way DAR is implementing agrarian reform program in Negros Occidental.

Franco said he has relayed his sentiments to newly-installed Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Teresita Depenosa.

Numerous incidents of violence at Hacienda Velez Malaga have resulted in the death of three agrarian reform beneficiaries this year alone, police records show.

Marañon and Negros Occidental mayors, supported by several Negros solons, have called for a review and audit of the implementation in the province of CARP, which is set to expire in June next year.

At the same time, Marañon also sought an investigation from the Office of the President and the Department of Justice on the serious complaints of the DAR employees in Negros over the alleged use of DAR funds for Task Force Mapalad.

On motion of Board Member Melvin Ybañez, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental yesterday passed a resolution commending Franco and his men for a job well done in the implementation of peace and order in the province.*GPB

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