APC criticize the murder of staunch GARB peasant leader

NEWS RELEASE
10 June 2009

The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) criticize the murder of a peasant leader belonging to each member organization in the Philippines - Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who was gunned down by members of suspected 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) death squad in Dumaguete City about 4:20 PM today.

“Fermin Lorico is the National Council Member of KMP and Chairman of the Kahugpongan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmay’ng Mag-uuma sa Oriental Negros (KAUGMAON), the provincial chapter of KMP in Negros Oriental. He is a staunch supporter and campaigner for the passage of House Bill 3059 or Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) submitted to the House of Representatives in November 2007,” said Danilo Ramos, APC secretary general.

Lorico was on his way to the office of Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) to attend a meeting with human rights organizations after speaking in the rally against the Constituents Assembly. He is among the leaders of people’s organizations in Negros Oriental who are very vocal against Charter Change pushed by the administration of Gloria Arroyo. His undying dedication in pushing for the genuine land reform and opposing land grabbing for his fellow farmers is remarkable.

At the protest march, three military intelligence agents whose identity is yet to be ascertained were spotted tailing Lorico. Some protesters overheard them discussing how to pin down and “neutralize” Lorico.

Lorico sustained three gunshot wounds. According to witnesses, the KAUGMAON leader was shot from a distance indicating the assailants were sharpshooters and professionals.

In a joint statement the KMP said, “Peasant movement are target of state fascism led by President Arroyo. Unfortunately, the year 2009 has heightened the attacked against the peasants. From January to June, Tanggol Magsasaka has recorded 18 peasants who were victims of extra judicial killings (EJK) -- the latest is Lorico, a native of Bayawan City and also an active lay minister of the Catholic Church. “

“The death of Lorico is a triple attack against the farmers in just 10 days. On June 2, the 14th Philippine Congress approved the House Resolution (HR) 1109, popularly known as Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). On June 3, the landlord dominated Congress passed the extension of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) with Reform or (CARPer). Today, June 10, the 21st anniversary of CARP, they killed a dedicated peasant leader. Our hope to own the land we have long been tilling were taken away by the passage of CARPer. Our assurance that poor peasant will be protected by the highest law of the land were destroyed by approving Con-Ass,” added Ramos.

The HR 1109 aims to set up a constituent assembly to open up the Constitution to changes that endanger Philippine sovereignty and the possibility of “Gloria Forever.” Meanwhile, the House Bill 4077 (HB 4077) has extended the CARPer for five years.

The KMP together with the militant left party-list groups—Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Kabataan--vigorously opposed the watered-down CARP extension bill.
They have been pushing for their own agrarian reform bill called the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB), which seeks to distribute lands to farmers for free.

“We were hurt by the death of Lorico. But they can not stop us in our struggle for genuine land reform and peoples’ food sovereignty. They can not kill our aspirations. They can not silence us. In the end, we will win the battle,” ended Ramos. ###