Troopers of the 6th Regional Mobile Group have been asked to defer their support for the planned segregation survey of Hacienda Velez-Malaga in Brgy. Robles, La Castellana, by the Department of Agrarian Reform.

In a letter to Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, 6th RMG director, Mario Diaz, counsel of landowner Roberto Cuenca reminded him that there is an existing writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court of La Carlota, enjoining DAR from conducting surveys and other activities, in relation to the planned installation of farmer beneficiaries.

He added that the case is now pending before the Supreme Court.

Merced said he had not gotten any request from DAR to help in the survey of the hacienda. But he said, "I will listen and comply with the orders of my superiors".

"Please refrain from obeying any unlawful orders from DAR in connection with the Hacienda Velez-Malaga affairs. Let us avoid more untoward incidents," Diaz also stressed in his letter to Merced. Police Director Wilfredo Garcia, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, in memorandum, ordered the Police Regional Office 6 to extend assistance to those who seek their help in the controversial property.

TFM called for the relief of Merced for his alleged failure to protect their members in the hacienda.The violence that broke out on June 11 claimed the lives of two TFM members and caused injuries to six others.

Diaz insisted that the planned survey is premature, even illegal, since there is no Certificate of Land Ownership Award on which DAR will base its survey.

Merced, Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, and DAR officials led by Secretary Nasser Pangandaman are facing contempt charges in court, in connection with the installation of 57 farmer beneficiaries at the controversial hacienda on March 22.

Diaz also asked on Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Stephen Leonidas not to conduct the segregation survey, until the Supreme Court has resolved the case. Meanwile, DAR is considering the filing of charges against Cuenca for obstruction of the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.*GPB

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