Abalos orders DILG Pangasinan exec to take a leave amid probe on alleged harassment vs. onion farmers

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday said he has ordered a DILG Pangasinan official to take a leave after the alleged harassment by cops against some onion farmers.

In an ambush interview, Abalos said he was not informed about the move made by DILG Pangasinan director Virgilio Sison who directed Bayambang Police to conduct an investigation on the suicide of farmers.

“Hinahantay ko yung explanation ng DILG [Pangasinan head], bakit siya gumalaw nang hindi ko alam on a provincial level? Inaalam ko rin yun. I am just awaiting for explanation lang,” Abalos said.

(I am just waiting for the explanation of the head of the DILG Pangasinan, why did he make a move on the provincial level that I am not aware of. I am also looking into that. I am just waiting for explanation.)

“On the part of the DILG, pinasuspinde ko muna yung tao, pina-leave ko muna pending investigation...Hindi suspended e, pinaalis ko muna sa puwesto pending investigation,” he added.

(On the part of the DILG, I suspended the official, I ordered him to take a leave pending an investigation…Not suspended, I just have him removed from the position pending investigation.)

On Friday, Merly Gallardo, an onion farmer who appeared at a recent Senate hearing, said the police visited her house multiple times, asking her to sign a statement in connection with the death of her husband.

"May kaunting mali. Sinabi doon hindi nalugi si Tatay [There is a little error in the statement. It was mentioned there that Tatay did not suffer from financial losses]," she added, referring to her husband.

Gallardo believes her husband committed suicide as a result of financial losses related to their onion production.

On January 19, Senator Imee Marcos said she received information that the police went to the houses of onion farmers to investigate the reported suicide of five farmers.

She said the farmers were being pressured to sign a document indicating that they were retracting their statements made during the Senate investigation on high onion prices.

Philippine National Police (PNP) public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said the Bayambang Police only followed the directive of the DILG Pangasinan to validate the reports of suicide.

Urban farming program

Meanwhile, the DILG on Tuesday launched its urban farming program for barangays to help ensure the food security in the country.

Asked if urban farms would be mandatory in all barangays, Abalos said the DILG would observe first the implementation of the project in the next months.

“Titignan muna natin (Let’s observe first) for next several months how it would go and then let us see. Hindi kasi lahat ng barangay may lupa (Not all barangays have available lands),” he said.

HAPAG sa Barangay Project is set to serve as a strategy to diversify food sources and contribute to ensuring food security in the country, according to the DILG.

It also aims to strengthen the capacity of barangays for sustainable agriculture initiatives through community gardening in their areas.

Households and communities will be encouraged to produce fruits and vegetables from their own backyards and spaces as well as vacant areas in barangays. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News