By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) sold a disputed land in Hacienda San Antonio Dos in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, back to its original owner, Paul Chang, for PHP3,926,000. The transaction covered 20.246 hectares.
The property gained public attention after a video of a gunman pointing a gun at a beneficiary and firing at the ground went viral on social media.
The Department of Agrarian Reform in the Negros Island Region has ordered a status quo on the case, according to Atty. Robert Torres, legal counsel for Chang.
Torres told Daily Guardian on Tuesday that 15 ARBs initiated the sale and signed notarized Sale of Rights agreements transferring their respective lots to Chang.
He said the relationship between Chang and the ARBs had been stable but recently soured due to alleged agitation by a farmers’ group.
A PHP10,000 reward has been offered for the arrest of Jose Alonsaga, the gunman in the viral video. Torres clarified that Alonsaga has no connection to the company.
Alonsaga, a supposed security guard, allegedly threatened the daughter of an ARB by firing a gun in front of her. However, Torres reiterated that he is not affiliated with the company.
He urged the Talisay City Police to expedite Alonsaga’s arrest and investigate his motives.
“We are also offering a cash reward of PHP10,000 for Alonsaga’s arrest,” Torres said.
He pointed out that the 15 ARBs are among the original 26 ARBs who received Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) in 2001 for a 50-hectare property originally owned by Chang.
Torres explained that the disputed 20-hectare portion of Hacienda San Antonio Dos is now legally owned by Chang after the 15 ARBs sold their land through separate notarized Sale of Rights agreements between November 2013 and November 2016.
Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), lands acquired by ARBs may be sold 10 years after their installation on the property.
Torres accused the 15 ARBs of instigating violence in Hacienda San Antonio Dos.
“They cut and set fire to sugarcane owned by Paul Chang,” he said.
He also alleged that the ARBs threw stones and damaged two houses belonging to company personnel, as well as a community chapel.
“In many instances, these 15 ARBs hurled rocks and threw urine and human feces at our personnel, which is why management saw the need to hire security,” Torres said.
He added that the company has filed cases against several perpetrators of violence and will take further legal action as necessary.
“We urge authorities to uphold law and order and protect legitimate business transactions,” Torres said.
He also encouraged the public to be discerning in the news they consume to avoid misinformation.
