|
The Philippines: Mindanao farmers kick off protests |
|
12th January, Banana Link
Farmer leaders in Northern Mindanao yesterday marked the start of Lakbayan, a series of protests in major cities nationwide, by marching with torches. Lakbayan commemorates the Mendiola massacre in 1987, and protests will continue until 22nd January.
"While the struggle for land rages in Hacienda Luisita, farmers all
over the country are denied their basic democratic right to own the
land they till," said Wildon C. Barros, Northern Mindanao regional
coordinator for leftist group Anakpawis. He was making reference to
another massacre, the November 2004 killing of 12 picketing farmers in
Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac province owned by the Cojuangco family.
"Here [in Mindanao], 800 families are threatened to be dispossessed of
their lands… More than 300 families face a similar situation in Gingoog
City," he reported. "Meanwhile, Del Monte and Dole Inc. are
aggressively expanding in Misamis Oriental, occupying around 12,000
hectares, producing pineapples, bananas and papayas primarily for
export and other commercial purposes."
Anakpawis has pushed for an agrarian reform bill which they believe
should have replaced the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
It claims that the present administration opted rather to extend the
CARP with support from peasant organisations who had been lured with
“false” reforms, in spite of stiff opposition and criticism from
famers’ groups.
The group is also demanding justice for peasant leaders who have
allegedly been victims of extrajudicial killings because they were
fighting for farmers’ rights. Anakpawis holds Benigno Simeon C. Aquino
III, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, accountable for the
massacre. "Although he may not be the person directly involved in the
massacre, until now he has done nothing to bring justice to the
victims," said Mr. Barros. The issue has been raised after Mr. Aquino
agreed to run for president, vowing that he would resolve the matter
soon.
Source: Business World Online
|
