Saturday, March 24, 2007 Guv won't take responsibility on whatever may happen in Malaga By Nicolas C. Delfin
NEGROS Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon Friday said he would not take any responsibility on any untoward incident that may happen in Hacienda Velez-Malaga, Barangay Robles, La Castellana town after the installation of 57 farmers belonging to the Task Force Mapalad.
"Whatever consequences that will happen in Hacienda Malaga, we won't share any responsibility. They did not even bother to share the responsibility with us," Marañon said.
This came after Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman initiated a surprise installation of the 57 farmer-beneficiaries affiliated to the Task Force Mapalad.
The installation resulted to a fight between the hacienda union workers and administration cooperative members and the Task Force Mapalad farmer members.
The union and cooperative workers are calling for the review of the certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) issued to the 122 Task Force Mapalad farmer beneficiaries and opposing the installation of those members who are not original tillers of the hacienda.
Broken windshields of police vehicles and scattered debris were seen as aftermath of the forced installation.
Also damaged were the Rainbow buses, which were used to transport 245 RMG troopers from Camp Aniceto Lacso in Victorias City to the hacienda.
But Pangandaman remained firm on his decision, saying, "I was just doing my job and following the law. Since there were no more legal impediments on the case, I have no choice but to follow the order.
But Marañon said, "Everybody is doing his job but when you do your job you have to coordinate with the local agency and the local government."
He added that any problem on the town's peace and order after the installation will be left to the mayor.
"Mayor Enrico Elumba and I have exactly the same concern. It would have been better if they only informed us and let us take our part in pacifying the trouble in our respective areas," the governor said.
Meanwhile, Marañon is also planning to report the incident to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"We'll be making a report and hand it over to the President during her expected visit for a soft opening of the Silay Airport before the holy week. It is about time to remind the national agencies of the importance of coordination with the local officials because it is them that has to face all responsibilities whenever there are conflicts after the national agencies leave the area," he said.
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