IN TANJAY
Bloodshed feared as DAR
decides plea on Polo estate
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

An official of the controversial Polo Coconut Plantation Inc. in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, has expressed fear of bloodshed if the Department of Agrarian Reform fails to resolve the pending petition of a group of farmers “with a fair and just decision”.

Rene Espina Jr., son of the late Senator Rene Espina Sr., who spoke in behalf of the estate owners as one of its directors, said he is worried that if the DAR comes out with an unfair and unjust ruling, there could be bloodshed at his family’s estate that has been covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Espina added he fears the outcome or consequence of the pending petition for inclusion/exclusion that was filed by a group of farmers, who called themselves ARIBA and is comprised of the original farm workers who are actual tillers of the land at the Polo Plantation.