MANILA — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has launched a review of the Bocobo and Morales estates in Capas, Tarlac, following reports of possible violations and concerns over compliance with agrarian reform laws.

In a news release, DAR said Secretary Conrado Estrella III ordered a comprehensive review after receiving reports of potential land-grabbing involving more than 187 hectares originally awarded to farmers in 1996 through Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and Emancipation Patents (EPs).

“Our duty is clear: protect our farmer-beneficiaries and uphold the law—no matter when these issues happened,” Estrella said.

The controversy dates back to 2000, when some farmer-beneficiaries sold lands to Kung Meng Sheng Tao, Inc. (KMSTI), triggering a legal dispute over ownership and the validity of the transactions. Records show KMSTI applied to convert 137 hectares of the property for non-agricultural use while a case filed by the Bocobo Estate was pending before the DAR Adjudication Board (DARAB). DAR approved the conversion in 2003 with protective provisions for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

DAR said a recent site inspection revealed no farming activity, no ARBs present, and limited development to a small office structure. The ongoing review will assess whether the approved conversion complied with legal requirements, including land-use limitations, compensation, and social safeguards. Violations may result in administrative action.