Saturday, August 04, 2007 PNP dismayed with Malaga turnout By Ma. Ester L. Espina
THE Negros Occidental provincial police expressed disappointment over the failed negotiations between Task Force Mapalad (TFM) farmers and management workers at Hacienda Velez Malaga in La Castellana.
Fears of violence have been raised following the deadlock if the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will push for the installation of TFM farmer beneficiaries while legal cases are pending before the courts.
“The government is doing everything it can to find a peaceful solution but it seems TFM just wants everybody to agree with what they want,” provincial police director Rosendo Franco said.
With the police expected to assist DAR in implementing their activity, Franco said any subsequent action regarding Malaga will become another thorn in the police.
“If it’s up to me alone, I will not help in the implementation especially on landholdings still facing legal cases,” he said, adding that in obligation to follow orders, “the police have always been caught in between the problems and have been charged in courts for such.”
“Why can’t we all wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the case instead of pushing for something which we know will end in violence,” said Franco.
He also said he asked the local police chief to file a report on the situation in Malaga. Earlier, he was ordered by DAR to help remove or transfer the guard house being used by the security guards hired by the management group.
“We did not follow the orders because of pending cases and I don’t want to have our men be charged for contempt of court,” Franco said.
He also said he told DAR to “show me a court order allowing you to commit such an act first.”
