DAR told to stop massive cancellations of land awards

MANILA, Philippines - Farmer groups led by the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) are urging newly appointed Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes to stop massive cancellations of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards or CLOAs.

“New DAR Secretary De los Reyes inherited the biggest problem of the country, the agrarian unrest that is transpiring all over the country. We urge him to act on the side of the farmers and not of the big landlords and foreign investors,” Antonio Flores, KMP spokesman, said.

He said big businesses, landlords, and real estate developers were the ones pushing for the cancellation of CLOAs. The farmers noted the rising number of CLOAs and Emancipation Patents being canceled by the DAR. They did not elaborate.

“Secretary De los Reyes could do significant change to thwart further agrarian unrest. He could start by helping the farmers of Southern Tagalog, who are presently being harassed by private armies, government forces and other elements employed by the big landlords,” Flores said.

The KMP and the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan are set to hold dialogues on the status of agrarian cases including Hacienda Yulo in Calamba, Laguna; Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas; Sitio Seedling lands in Montalban, Araneta lands in Barangay Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, among others.