Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Bago personnel Mark Karaig at Sunshine Arañas ordered the destruction of more than 20 hectares worth of sugarcane and banana trees of farmers from Hacienda Sandungao, Brgy. Bacong, Bago City last September 13 to pave the way for the installation of land for CARP beneficiaries.

The ongoing clearing operation is foreseen by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) alongside elements from the 303rd Brigade, the police, and Special Task Force.

As of press time, the military is still camping out within the vicinity.

Last August 8, farmers from Hacienda Sandungao filed a petition for DAR to defer the said land installation so that they can still harvest the sugarcane in time for the milling season.

According to Hda Sandungao Farmers and Farm Workers Association, their petition remained in the Office of the Secretary of DAR without any response.

Moreover, the association also questions the railroading of such land installation despite pending issues on the landholding of owners, the Elizalde family.

The association reports that the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Rutchel T. Ornillo changed the list of beneficiaries for the land installation from the original list made by Belen Elizalde.

Last November 29, 2021, landless peasants and sugar workers of Hacienda Sandungao occupied, through bungkalan, the 35 hectares of land being leased by Devon Farm Company and planted them with sugarcane and banana trees for their subsistence.

The bungkalan was done only after Devon Company had finished harvesting the existing sugarcane in the land to be occupied, ensuring no crops were being destroyed.

In a statement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas – Negros deplored DAR Bago’s decision to push through with the land clearing despite the pleas of the farmers.

The group says such operation is ill-timed as the farmers have just barely recovered from the effects of ‘tiempo muerto’, or dead season, and their slave-like wages via the pakyaw system.

“Ang dapat na ahensyang tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga taong magkaroon ng lupang sasakahan at pangkabuhayan ay siyang numero-unong pumapatay dito,” the statement says.