Tarlac: Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations that more than 187 hectares of agrarian reform land in Capas, Tarlac, were illegally transferred from farmer-beneficiaries to a private company.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced that the order, prompted by media reports, directs its Region 3 (Central Luzon) Director Eric Luna to "ascertain, without delay, the facts and circumstances surrounding the matter," even if the alleged incident occurred before his term.
Estrella, through Special Order No. 67 issued on February 3, has instructed Luna to submit a comprehensive report, with findings and recommendations, within 15 days. This report will serve as the basis for possible legal and administrative charges. "The allegations are grave and strike at the very core of agrarian reform. The Department of Agrarian Reform will act decisively to uncover the truth and to ensure that the rights of our farmers are fully protected," Estrella emphasized.
The DAR clarified that a review of its records shows no transactions involving the disputed land occurred during the Marcos administration. The alleged land grabbing came to light after Pyra Lucas, founder of United Filipino Against Crime and Corruption, claimed that political figures in Tarlac influenced the transfer of the Bocobo and Morales estates, originally awarded to 170 agrarian reform beneficiaries, to a private company.
Records from the DAR Provincial Office-Tarlac confirmed that the land was placed under Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1996, with Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) issued to farmer-beneficiaries. In 2000, some beneficiaries sold their landholdings to Kung Meng Sheng Tao, Inc., which later obtained private titles, as indicated by the records.
This situation led to a decade-long legal battle with the Bocobo corporations, which sought the nullification of the titles issued to Kung Meng. Following the resolution of the legal disputes that reached the Supreme Court, Kung Meng subsequently pursued the conversion of the agricultural land for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.
Estrella stated that the ongoing investigation aims to protect the integrity of the agrarian reform program, safeguard the rights of farmer-beneficiaries, and ensure that no individual, regardless of influence or position, is above the law.
