In Hacienda Michaela, a 22-hectare agricultural land in Barangay Talogtog, Murcia, Negros Occidental, farmers and farmworkers reported harassment and intimidation linked to land-grabbing attempt by Ta-ala Farms Incorporated.

The conflict intensified on January 12 2026, when a group of armed men, reportedly associated with the company, entered the property using three mini-trucks and heavy equipment, including backhoes. Witnesses said some of the men were carrying firearms such as shotguns and .45 caliber pistols. Upon arrival, they began setting up a tent and digging within the landholding, alarming the local farming community.

Residents affiliated with the Hacienda Michaela Farmers and Farmworkers Association (HMFFA), who have long lived on and cultivated the land, confronted the group and questioned their legal authority to occupy the area. The situation quickly escalated, with the armed men allegedly threatening the farmers and pointing guns at them. At least one individual was injured during the confrontation, and reports indicate that three women farmers were nearly handcuffed during the incident.

Despite appeals to barangay officials, local police, and municipal authorities, the farmers claim that no immediate action has been taken. Since the initial incident, the group has maintained a presence on the property. By January 14, reports indicated that construction activities had begun, including the pouring of cement for what appears to be a perimeter wall.

The disputed land has been under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) since 2006, following the issuance of a Notice of Coverage by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Occidental. This designation is intended to facilitate the redistribution of the land to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The owner of Ta-ala Farms, Bonnie Ta-ala, has asserted that the property was legally purchased from the original landowner, Arthur Bayona. However, under agrarian reform regulations, such a transaction is considered invalid if the land is already covered by a Notice of Coverage. Previous legal efforts by the company to secure a temporary restraining order against the farmers were denied by the court.

The dispute traces back to earlier confrontations between the farmers and the original landowner. In October 2024, the farmers installed signboards declaring the land as covered by agrarian reform and not for sale, reinforcing their claim and intent to remain on the property.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding land ownership, agrarian reform implementation, and rural livelihoods in the Philippines. Farmers continue to call for the swift distribution of the land to rightful beneficiaries and for stronger enforcement of existing agrarian laws to prevent further conflict.