Farmers group seeks CHR help

CEBU, Philippines - A local farmers association is seeking the Commission on Human Rights intervention into the alleged harassment perpetrated by an armed security group hired by a private individual who claimed ownership of their land in Barangay Bonbon, Aloguinsan.

Members of the San Roque Farmers Association are expected to file today a formal complaint before the CHR-7 against Jufil Gantuanco.

CHR-7 investigator Primo Cadampog said they will look into the complaints of the farmers even if they have yet to receive a formal complaint. Cadampog was able to view a video footage of the alleged harassment from a TV crew.

The farmers said they owned the 168 hectares property that is now claimed by Gantuanco. According to the farmers, the property was awarded to them under the Presidential Decree 27 of then president Ferdinand Marcos.

In fact, 60 of them were considered legitimate owners of the property and were given certificates of land transfer by the Department of Agrarian Reform in 1984.

But in spite of their documents, Gantuanco allegedly claimed their property. According to them, Gantuanco file a case for unlawful detainer before the Municipal Trial Court but was dismissed for lack of merit.

Gantuanco then went to the Municipal Government of Aloguinsan to secure a fencing permit. When granted, Gantuanco sent a group of armed security personnel and allegedly started harassing the farmers.

Karapatan Central Visayas Secretary General Dennis Abarientos who is assisting the farmers said that the already tension-filled situation in Aloguinsan is aggravated by the presence of the members of the 78th Infantry Battalion in the area.

According to Abarintos, the farmers and the residents in the area are getting scared because of the presence of the armed men.

They are asking the Central Command to withdraw the military personnel in the area. — (FREEMAN)