On anniversary of PD 27: Peasants call for land, relief and justice

Peasants led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) commemorated the anniversary of PD 27, the bogus land reform program of the Marcos dictatorship, on October 21, by a week-long series of protests and a relief mission to Central Luzon.

KMP said that the October peasant campaign would deal mainly on the call for Genuine Land Reform and the immediate need of peasants distraught by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng for relief and rehabilitation. They have also called for justice for the victims of human rights abuses under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

Oplan Sagip Kanayunan

Oplan Sagip Kanayunan is a relief effort of peasant organizations to typhoon-hit areas under the Bayanihan Alay Sa Sambayanan (BALSA) led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). Sagip Kanayunan is led by KMP, Pamalakaya-Pilipina s, Amihan, UMA, NNARA-Youth, Anakpawis Partylist and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP). The effort was able to deliver relief goods at Bgy. San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal on October 3, 6, 10 and 11. On October 12 and 18, the group delivered relief at Bgy. Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Goods were also delivered at flooded fisherfolk areas in Binangonan, Rizal on October 4, 7 and 22.

International Rural Women’s Day

About 200 farmers from Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and KMP held a camp-out in front of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to commemorate the International Rural Women’s Day. They have accused the government, particularly the DENR of allowing mining and quarrying operations which they claim caused the massive destruction to their homes and crops brought about by typhoon Ondoy.

Their members who are from Montalban, Rizal, were greatly affected by the strong waters along Wawa river, causing the total destruction of 34 houses in Sition Santo Nino and Sitio EEA. Also, connecting water streams destroyed 4 houses at a nearby Sitio Wawa. Massive landslides also occured at the area. They have discussed climate change, its main causes and dangerous effects to the countryside.

World “Foodless” Day

More than a hundred peasants and supporters protested in front of the Dept. of Agriculture Central Office on October 16 to mark the World Food Day. To peasants, it was the World “Foodless” Day as liberalization of agriculture promoted by the government and subservience to the World Trade Organization (WTO) deepens poverty and hunger in the country. They were joined by supporters from India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand and Ecuador who recently participated an international workshop on hybrid rice held at University of the Philippines in Diliman. The peasants presented empty sacks of rice to show that nothing was left as their crops were totally destroyed by the typhoons.

Also, peasant leaders talked to agriculture officials, accompanied by Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano, regarding their promises of support to peasants and rehabilitation efforts on areas stricken by typhoons. They also presented their 10-point omnibus demands that mainly involves concrete support to farmers.

Peasant Caravan for Land, Relief and Justice

On October 18, KMP, Pamalakaya-Pilipina s( fisherfolk) and UMA(agri-workers) , supported by groups Citizens’ Disaster Reponsce Center (CDRC), Migrante International, All-UP Workers Union, Anakpawis Partylist, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and individuals, joined the Peasant Solidarity Caravan for Land, Relief and Justice headed for Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. They are to deliver relief goods to peasant areas, also, support their call for Genuine Land Reform at their areas. The caravan was part of Oplan Sagip Kanayunan.

The 56-strong national contingent led KMP Secretary-General Danilo Ramos and Pamalakaya-Pilipina s Chair Fernando Hicap proceeded first to Bgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan, where the 375-hectare productive agricultural lands are being grabbed by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte. The farmers who are members of the Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (UFAI) and Lingap Magsasaka, are resisting Rep. Villafuerte’s threat of landgrabbing and continue to cultivate the lands they have developed since the 1950s. Rep. Villafuerte is using his daughter’s Green Earth Heritage Foundation as front to displace the farmers.

The national contingent were then joined by about 200 farmers and supporters at their solidarity night.

The next day, they proceeded to Gapan City, Nueva Ecija where they were joined by members of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (Alliance of Peasants in Central Luzon) who are farmers from Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Laur and from southern towns of the province. They proceeded to Cabanatuan City where they marched from the Freedom Park towards the public market. Afterwards they continued to head towards Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City.

The group arrived at Hacienda Luisita late afternoon and landed on Bgy. Balite near the gate of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac sugar mill. They were joined by members of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA). ULWU leaders led by Lito Bais hosted the group at held their relief mission at a basketball court in Bgy. Asturias. They were joined by hundreds of residents of different barangays inside Hacienda Luisita who are now benefitting from the cultivation of about 2,000 hectares, of crops such as rice, vegetables and fruits.

The next day, they proceeded towards Bgy. Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga, in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region 3 office. The group held a short program protesting against massive cancellations of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and Emancipation Patents (EPs) in the region. They have lambasted DAR’s inaction and inefficiencies on the issues of landgrabbing of Rep. Luis Villafuerte in San Miguel, Bulacan, CLOA and EP cancellations in Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation and southern towns of Nueva Ecija and the indecisiveness on the issue of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

The caravan proceeded and pierced through Pampanga and Bulacan. In Malolos City, they were joined by farmers from Bulacan province also holding a short program. The group then continued towards Manila to join farmers from Southern Tagalog and merge in front of the DAR Central Office in Quezon City.

Southern Tagalog peasant camp-out

About 300 farmer-members of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK, Union of Peasant Associations in Southern Tagalog) held their camp-out in front of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and DAR on October 19. They are protesting government inaction on the flooding of bayside towns of Laguna Lake, the construction of Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal and construction of R1 Coastal Road in Bacoor, Cavite.

The group has protested the massive cancellation of CLOA and EP and dislocation in Southern Tagalog, particularly in Hacienda Yulo in Laguna, Camella Homes in Batangas and Ayala properties in Cavite. They held their solidarity night in front of DENR which was attended by members of groups from different sectors.

On October 20, they held dialogue with DAR officials, accompanied by peasant lawyers from Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (SENTRA, Center for Genuine Agrarian Reform). They were also joined by Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano. Also, KMP led groups San Isidro Sandigang Samahang Magsasaka (SASAMAG) from Bgy. Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Parawagan Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (PUFAI) from Bgy. San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal.

Solidarity Night

On evening of October 20, hundreds of peasant-members of KASAMA-TK from Southern Tagalog, AMGL from Central Luzon and Hacienda Luisita agri-workers merged in front of the DAR Central Office. They were joined by members from other sectoral groups under Bayan such as Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kadamay, Anakbayan, Anakpawis Partylist, All-UP Workers’ Union, Migrante International, ACT, Courage, Gabriela, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), PCPR, Karapatan and more.

Peasant leaders dumped mud on a large CARPER symbol as their sign of protest. The program was initiated by KMP Secretary-General Danilo Ramos. The solidarity night hosted cultural performances from Southern Tagalog Cultural Network, Axel Pinpin, GARB Kids, People’s Chorale, KUMASA-Rizal, Karit and more. They were joined by Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano. More than 500 attended the solidarity night.

During the solidarity night, peasant and other sectoral groups gave honors to the fallen martyrs victimized by the Macapagal-Arroyo regime through its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya. They have called for justice as human rights abuses such as extra-judicial killings (EJK), enforced disappearances and illegal arrests continues. To date, 560 peasants were victims of EJK and 118 of them were leaders of KMP such as Eddie Gumanoy (KASAMA-TK), Renato Pacaide (KMP Far Southern Mindanao Region), Marcelino Beltran (AMT Tarlac), Fermin Lorico (Kaugmaon Negros Oriental), Celso Pojas (FADC Davao City) and more. Moreover Nilo Arado (PAMANGGAS Panay) and Manuel Merino (AMB) were abducted and still missing.

Peasant Long March for Land, Rehabilitation and Justice

More than 500 peasants from KMP, Pamalakaya-Pilipina s, Amihan, UMA, KASAMA-TK, AMGL, ULWU, ALMANA-FMMR, PUFAI, SASAMAG and TMUFAI lined up along Quezon Memorial Circle in front of DAR Central Office. They were joined by members from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, KMU, Kadamay, Anakpawis Partylist, Anakbayan, LFS, HEAD, Courage, Migrante International and other groups.

The march was backdropped as “Lupa, Rehabilitasyon at Hustisya, Ipaglaban! CARPER Ibasura!” (Struggle for Land, Rehabilitation and Justice! Junk CARPER!) They headed towards Mendiola and along Quezon Avenue and Welcome Rotonda, more groups have joined their long march.

They have reached Mendiola Bridge and commenced with their burning of 1,000 picture of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The mobilization reached more than 1,000 activists from different groups. At Mendiola, Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano discussed deeply the peasants’ critique of CARPER, mainly regarding the strengthening of landlords’ rights against peasants. According to Mariano, CARPER has empowered more means for the landlords to displace peasants off their lands.

On the recent effects of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, they have proposed their 10-point omnibus demands to the Dept. of Agrarian Reform and Dept. of Agriculture. They are as follows:

1. the junking of CARPER law and the free distribution of land to landless and land lacking farmers all over the country;
2. support repair and construction of homes of farmers and rural people destroyed or uprooted at the height of tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng;
3. rehabilitation of farms and granting of seeds and seedlings for rice, corn, vegetables and other farm crops;
4. financial grant of about P 10,000 to P 15,000 per hectare;
5. zero interest credit line to the Land Bank of the Philippines amounting to P 10,000 to
P 15,000 per hectare;
6. provisions for farm implements such as tractors, hand tractors and carabaos for free.
7. setting up of potable water supply;
8. a halt if not moratorium on irrigation fees imposed by the National Irrigation Authority and private irrigation systems;
9. livelihood to rural people;
10. automatic repudiation of farm debts, if not moratorium in payment of principals and interests on acquired loans from landlords and local financial institutions.

Laguna Lake peasant and fisherfolk organizations are also calling for the dismantling of Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure in Pasig as it is the main cause of increase in water level and massive floodings on communities along the lake.

KMP, with its regional chapters KASAMA-TK (Southern Tagalog) and AMGL (Central Luzon) affirmed their call for Genuine Land Reform and junking of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with “Reforms” (CARPER) or Republic Act 9700.

They are resolutely calling for free land distribution of the haciendas in Southern Tagalog, Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, Fort Magsasay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija, lands in Bgy. Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Bgy. San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal. They are also opposing landgrabbing threats of Rep. Luis Villafuerte in San Miguel, Bulacan, the construction of Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal.

The October Peasant Campaign was considered successful as it deepened the understanding of peasants and urban-based sectors on the problem of landlessness, the worse effects of CARPER and the inaction of the government on countryside disaster areas.