The United Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers Association of Negros Occidental is blaming the Task Force Mapalad for the agrarian violence in the province.

In a statement it issued yesterday, UMANO called "absurd" the pronouncement made by TFM that DAR-Negros Occidental employees are pro-landlord and that Governor Joseph Marañon should not believe the alleged favoritism by DAR central office for TFM.

The group said TFM consistently pushes lies to make it appear as truth and that CARP implementation in Negros Occidental has been relatively peaceful until TFM entered the scene and started the era of agrarian violence.

"Deaths of agrarian reform beneficiaries who are TFM members are always highlighted both in local and national newspapers. Most, if not all are not agrarian-related," the statement signed by Silay MARO Victor Montalvo, UMANO president, said.

UMANO added that the connections between the TFM and higher DAR officials are manifested in the withdrawal of four criminal cases filed by DAR-Negros Occidental against several TFM leaders and members in 2006.

The group also said that the transfer of PARO Stephen Leonidas to the regional office was authored by the TFM and implemented only by DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

"DAR Negros Occidental Employees are sane, intelligent and reasonable people who always observe and adhere to the rule of law, unlike the TFM who adhere to violence and chaos in the countryside," UMANO said.*NAB

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