Agrarian reform beneficiaries affiliated with Task Force Mapalad yesterday rejected the 53 hectares with standing crops being offered by the management of Hacienda Malaga-Velez, in exchange for the land awarded to them by the Department of Agrarian Reform.

TFM members also expressed dismay over they called "another deceptive move" of DAR local officials, who allegedly entered into an agreement with police and military officials to prevent them from cultivating their landholdings delineated by DAR on June 20.

While DAR regional director Alexis Arsenal described the offer as a good proposal that they will look into, TFM leader Jerry Cahilig said "There is no more time for compromise agreements".

Police Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups troopers prevented TFM members from clearing areas planted with sugarcane, which had been the subject of survey by DAR on Wednesday.

La Castellana police chief Regidor Alvarado yesterday justified the temporary halt of activities of TFM and rival group of farm workers in the controversial hacienda, a decision reached during a dialog between DAR, military, police and local government executives, after the delineation survey.

"We want to avoid more violence," Alvarado said.

Violence marred the DAR demarcation survey at the controversial hacienda property in Brgy. Robles, La Castellana, and led to injuries of some policemen and farm workers.

Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Maranon said violence will continue as long as the defects in the procedures and implementation of CARP are not properly addressed.

That is why, Maranon said, "We are pushing for the audit and evaluation of CARP program in each town and city of Negros Occidental."

Cahilig, in a TFM statement, said the decision of local DAR officials not to allow them to enter the delineated areas to prevent untoward incidents is more that a deceptive move. He claimed the strategy is clothed with cowardice and is unbecoming of public officials.

The reason why the PNP and Philippine Army were posted in the area is for them to protect us as we cultivate our land, and maintain peace and order in our area, he said.

TFM member Florenda Hilario said Arsenal and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Stephen Leonidas should be sanctioned for entering into an agreement with PNP and the Philippine Army without consulting DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

Alvarado said the situation in the hacienda is now back to normal.

More than 80 RMG and Army soldiers are now stationed in the hacienda to maintain peace and order.*GPB

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