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KMP and the anti-imperialist struggle

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This article is the fourth in a series on the important work of KMP. The other three articles are available to read here on the ICHRP website: ICHRP celebrates KMP’s 40 years, KMP and the struggle for land, KMP and the struggle against fascism.

Since its founding under the U.S.-backed Marcos Sr. dictatorship, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has united farmworkers and the peasant masses against not only the local tyranny of the Philippine state’s fascist attacks against the people, but the foreign interests of U.S. neocolonial rule, forging itself over decades into an unshakeable force in both the Philippine and global struggles against imperialism.

Over four decades of struggle, KMP has been among those in the Philippines leading the charge against neoliberal policies such as Marcos Sr.’s version of the “green revolution” of foreign institutions such as the IMF-World Bank, USAID, and other transnational corporations, which bankrupted farmers, destroying traditional farming and locking the peasant masses into a foreign-dependent system.

In recent years, KMP has also fought against Charter Change (ChaCha) to allow foreign land ownership, the Rice Liberalization Law (RLL), and 99-year foreign land leases.

KMP has waged intense struggle against militarization, and was among those who led the call in 1991 to expel U.S. military bases from the Philippines.

U.S. military intervention in the Philippines has not ceased, however, and KMP has continued to oppose military programs like the Balikatin Exercises, large scale military exercises which have resulted in environmental destruction and disrupted the lives and livelihoods of citizens. KMP has also opposed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which gives U.S. troops even greater access to Philippine land.

KMP is also an active participant in global anti-imperialist efforts, carrying the voice of Filipino peasants across the world. KMP has engaged with international alliances like the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS), Asian Peasant Coalition (APC), and People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), to expose and resist imperialist domination.

With another Marcos back in power, KMP’s role in uniting farmers for the anti-imperialist struggle is more vital than ever. ICHRP looks to the example of KMP’s militant history of struggle – that true national freedom and social justice are never given, but must be fought for – and joins the peasant masses in building, strengthening, and advancing the anti-imperialist movement worldwide!

Land, not bombs! ¡Tierra, no bombas! De la terre, pas des bombes!

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[Spanish and French translations follow]

ICHRP Stands in Solidarity with the Peasant Movement of the Philippines

From the rice fields of the Philippines to the streets of the world, people are rising together to break land monopolies, end state violence, and defend the dignity of those who feed nations.

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) proudly supports the October 21st day of action of the peasant movement of the Philippines and echoes the call of Filipino peasants for land, democracy, and sovereignty.

ICHRP stands in full support of today’s Peasant March (Lakbayan) in the Philippines— a powerful, coordinated mobilization bringing together peasants from across the archipelago to unite in Manila, while rallying supporters worldwide to stand in solidarity with their ongoing struggle for land, justice, and human dignity.

Marking the anniversary of Marcos Sr.’s failed land reform program, this day of protest amplifies the urgent call of people’s organizations such as the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines – KMP) for genuine agrarian reform and an end to militarization, land-grabbing, and forced displacement of peasants and indigenous people from their land. ICHRP calls on allies everywhere to stand in solidarity by organizing actions, issuing statements, and supporting initiatives such as ICHRP’s Peasant Support Fund.

When Farmland Becomes a Battlefield

For four decades, KMP has been a defiant voice against hunger and oppression. Since 1985, the organization has fought for equitable land distribution, insisting that democracy cannot thrive while those who feed the nation remain landless. Yet the crisis deepens: the Philippines loses an average of 27,000 hectares of farmland each year as productive fields are converted into subdivisions, shopping malls, golf courses, plantations and export-oriented industrial zones. Each project erases farmland, pushes farmers toward eviction and poverty, and undermines food sovereignty and the indigenous people’s right to self-determination. As rice prices soar and agricultural policy falls under foreign control, the very people who sustain the nation are being driven to the brink of desperation.

Since the rise of neoliberal policies under the regime of Ferdinand Marcos, this is no longer just a domestic issue – it is a global concern. Transnational interests continue to profit from policies that uproot communities, deepen inequality, and silence resistance. Solidarity across borders is essential to reverse this injustice.

The struggle of Filipino peasants is not only about land; it is about life, dignity, and the future of generations to come. They have endured decades of broken promises, systemic violence, and displacement, yet continue to resist with courage and hope. We are boldly saying: impunity will not stand. The land belongs to those who till it, and the fight for human rights knows no borders. 

Turning Outrage Into Action

We call on civil society organizations, trade unions, faith communities, and people of conscience to amplify the voices of Filipino peasants, host public forums, and mobilize actions that challenge land monopolies and state violence. Most importantly, we invite individuals and movements everywhere to join us on October 21 and beyond in the streets, on social media, and in every public space to transform solidarity into power and power into justice.

The October 21 Global Day of Solidarity is part of a growing international campaign to hold perpetrators accountable and defend the rights of rural communities. In the weeks and months that follow, ICHRP Global and its partners will continue coordinating global actions, advocacy initiatives, and humanitarian support, strengthening peasant movements that build a future where those who feed nations will never go hungry.


ICHRP se solidariza con el movimiento campesino de Filipinas

Desde los arrozales de Filipinas hasta las calles del mundo entero, la gente se está levantando para acabar con los monopolios de la tierra, poner fin a la violencia estatal y defender la dignidad de quienes nos alimentan a todas y todos.

La Coalición Internacional por los Derechos Humanos en Filipinas (ICHRP) apoya firmemente la jornada de acción del 21 de octubre del movimiento campesino de Filipinas y se hace eco del llamamiento de los campesinos filipinos en favor de la tierra, la democracia y la soberanía.

ICHRP apoya plenamente la Marcha Campesina (Lakbayan) que se celebra hoy en Filipinas, una movilización poderosa y organizada que congrega a campesinos de todo el archipiélago en Manila, al tiempo que convoca a simpatizantes de todo el mundo para que se solidaricen con su lucha continua por la tierra, la justicia y la dignidad humana.

Con motivo del aniversario del fallido programa de reforma agraria del dictador Marcos padre, esta jornada de protesta amplifica el urgente llamamiento de organizaciones populares como el sindicato Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Movimiento Campesino de Filipinas, KMP) en favor de una auténtica reforma agraria y el fin de la militarización, el acaparamiento de tierras y el desplazamiento forzoso de campesinos e indígenas de sus tierras. ICHRP hace un llamamiento a sus aliados de todo el mundo para que se solidaricen organizando acciones, emitiendo declaraciones y apoyando iniciativas como el Fondo de Apoyo a los Campesinos del ICHRP.

Cuando las tierras de cultivo se convierten en un campo de batalla

Durante cuatro décadas, KMP ha sido una voz desafiante contra el hambre y la opresión. Desde 1985, la organización ha luchado por una distribución equitativa de la tierra, insistiendo en que la democracia no puede prosperar mientras quienes alimentan a la nación sigan sin tener tierras. Sin embargo, la crisis se agrava: Filipinas pierde una media de 27 000 hectáreas de tierras agrícolas cada año, ya que los campos productivos se convierten en urbanizaciones, centros comerciales, campos de golf, plantaciones y zonas industriales orientadas a la exportación. Cada proyecto borra del mapa las tierras agrícolas, empuja a los agricultores hacia el desalojo y la pobreza, y socava la soberanía alimentaria y el derecho de los pueblos indígenas a la autodeterminación. A medida que los precios del arroz se disparan y la política agrícola cae bajo control extranjero, las mismas personas que dan de comer al país se ven empujadas al borde de la desesperación.

Desde el auge de las políticas neoliberales bajo el régimen de Ferdinand Marcos, esto ya no es solo un problema interno, sino una preocupación mundial. Los intereses transnacionales siguen beneficiándose de políticas que desarraigan a las comunidades, profundizan la desigualdad y silencian la resistencia. La solidaridad internacional es esencial para revertir esta injusticia.

La lucha de los campesinos filipinos no es solo por la tierra, es por la vida, la dignidad y el futuro de las generaciones venideras. Han soportado décadas de promesas incumplidas, violencia sistémica y desplazamientos, pero siguen resistiendo con valentía y esperanza. Afirmamos con rotundidad: la impunidad no prevalecerá.  La tierra pertenece a quienes la cultivan, y la lucha por los derechos humanos no conoce fronteras. 

De la indignación a la acción

Hacemos un llamamiento a las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, los sindicatos, las comunidades religiosas y a toda la ciudadanía concienciada para que amplifiquen las voces de los campesinos filipinos, organicen foros públicos y se movilicen a través de acciones que desafíen los monopolios de la tierra y la violencia estatal. Y lo que es más importante, invitamos a personas y movimientos de todo el mundo a unirse a nosotros el 21 de octubre y más allá, en las calles, en las redes sociales y en todos los espacios públicos, para transformar la solidaridad en poder y el poder en justicia.

El Día Mundial de Solidaridad del 21 de octubre forma parte de una campaña internacional cada vez más amplia para exigir responsabilidades a los autores y defender los derechos de las comunidades rurales. En las semanas y meses siguientes, ICHRP Global y sus socios seguirán coordinando acciones globales, iniciativas de defensa y apoyo humanitario, fortaleciendo los movimientos campesinos que construyen un futuro en el que quienes alimentan al planeta nunca pasarán hambre.


L’ICHRP est solidaire du mouvement paysan aux Philippines

Des rizières des Philippines aux rues du monde entier, les peuples s’unissent pour mettre fin au monopole foncier, à la violence étatique et défendre la dignité de ceux qui nourrissent les nations.

La Coalition internationale pour les droits humains aux Philippines (ICHRP) apporte tout son soutien la journée d’action du 21 octobre du mouvement paysan aux Philippines et se fait l’écho de l’appel des paysans philippins en faveur de la terre, de la démocratie et de la souveraineté.

ICHRP soutient pleinement la Marche paysanne (Lakbayan) qui se déroule aujourd’hui aux Philippines, une mobilisation puissante et coordonnée qui rassemble des paysans de tout l’archipel à Manille, tout en ralliant des sympathisants du monde entier pour qu’ils se solidarisent avec leur lutte constante pour la terre, la justice et la dignité humaine.

Marquant l’anniversaire de l’échec du programme de réforme agraire de Marcos père, cette journée de protestation amplifie l’appel urgent lancé par des organisations populaires telles que le syndicat Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Mouvement paysan des Philippines – KMP) en faveur d’une véritable réforme agraire et de la fin de la militarisation, de l’accaparement des terres et du déplacement forcé des paysans et des peuples autochtones de leurs terres. L’ICHRP appelle ses alliés partout dans le monde à se montrer solidaires en organisant des actions, en publiant des déclarations et en soutenant des initiatives telles que le Fonds de soutien aux paysans de l’ICHRP.

Quand les terres agricoles deviennent un champ de bataille

Depuis quatre décennies, KMP est une voix qui s’élève contre la faim et l’oppression. Depuis 1985, l’organisation lutte pour une répartition équitable des terres, affirmant que la démocratie ne peut prospérer tant que ceux qui nourrissent le pays sont des paysans sans terre. Pourtant, la crise s’aggrave : les Philippines perdent en moyenne 27 000 hectares de terres agricoles chaque année, les champs productifs étant transformés en lotissements, centres commerciaux, terrains de golf, plantations et zones industrielles orientées vers l’exportation. Chaque projet fait disparaître des terres agricoles, pousse les agriculteurs vers l’expulsion et la pauvreté, et sape la souveraineté alimentaire et le droit des peuples autochtones à l’autodétermination. Alors que les prix du riz montent en flèche et que la politique agricole tombe sous le contrôle d’acteurs extérieurs, ceux-là mêmes qui font vivre le pays sont poussés à bout.

Depuis la montée des politiques néolibérales sous le régime de Ferdinand Marcos, ce n’est plus seulement une question nationale, c’est une préoccupation mondiale. Les intérêts transnationaux continuent de tirer profit de politiques qui déracinent les communautés, aggravent les inégalités et réduisent au silence les voix de la résistance. La solidarité internationale est essentielle pour renverser cette injustice.

La lutte des paysans philippins ne concerne pas seulement la terre, elle concerne la vie, la dignité et l’avenir des générations futures. Ils ont enduré des décennies de promesses non tenues, de violence systémique et de déplacements, mais continuent de résister avec courage et espoir. Nous l’affirmons avec force : l’impunité ne saurait perdurer. La terre appartient à ceux qui la cultivent.

De l’indignation à l’action

Nous appelons les organisations de la société civile, les syndicats, les communautés religieuses et toutes les personnes sensibilisées à amplifier la voix des paysans philippins, à organiser des forums publics et à se mobiliser pour remettre en cause les monopoles fonciers et la violence étatique. Plus important encore, nous invitons les personnes à titre individuel et les mouvements sociaux du monde entier à se joindre à nous le 21 octobre et au-delà, dans les rues, sur les réseaux sociaux et dans tous les espaces publics, afin de transformer la solidarité en pouvoir et le pouvoir en justice.

La Journée mondiale de solidarité du 21 octobre s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une campagne internationale qui prend chaque jour plus d’ampleur, visant à demander des comptes aux auteurs de ces violations et à défendre les droits des communautés rurales. Dans les semaines et les mois à venir, ICHRP Global et ses partenaires continueront à coordonner des actions mondiales, des initiatives de plaidoyer et un soutien humanitaire, renforçant ainsi les mouvements paysans qui construisent un avenir où ceux qui nourrissent la planète ne souffriront plus jamais de la faim.

Donate to Support the Peasant Movement in the Philippines!

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The struggle of the peasant movement in the Philippines inspires the world. To join in the international solidarity effort to support the peasant movement, you can help cover travel and hosting expenses of Filipino farmers and international solidarity activists during this month’s peasant mobilizations!

Donate to ICHRP’s peasant fund at ichrp.net/PeasantFundraiser

During October, known as Peasant Month in the Philippines, peasant and indigenous communities hosted international delegates for the International Solidarity Mission (ISM). These communities welcomed the delegates into their lives and ongoing struggles against land-grabbing and militarization.

During the ISM, a great amount of warmth and solidarity was generated between the visitors and the locals. The delegates learned of local struggles against land-grabbing and militarization by host organizations, including  the Kilusang Magbubukid Philippines (KMP). Hosts exposed the rights violations committed in connection to the Kaliwa mega dam in Rizal; a palm oil plantation in Negros; a real estate development in Mindoro; and low farmgate food prices in Samar. ISM delegates visiting from around the world integrated with community members and in some cases even visited the sites of exploitation and militarization.

All groups were subjected to intense surveillance by soldiers and military intelligence agents! Surveillance of international delegates escalated to the point of drone surveillance and even direct confrontation and questioning by members of the Philippine military.

All throughout Peasant Month, organizations like KMP are mobilizing to expose the issues of peasants and generate the broadest possible support for the peasant struggle. This campaign includes the coordination of the ISM itself, as well as a massive protest of peasant farmers this coming October 21st, which will bring together peasants from many regions to convene in Manila.

You can contribute to the efforts of the peasant movement by donating to ICHRP’s Peasant Fund. Funds raised will contribute to the costs of travel associated with the large mobilization of peasants on October 21st, as well as the travel and hosting costs associated with the ISM which was conducted earlier this month.

If you would like to help expand the work of ICHRP through grassroots support, we also invite you to become an ICHRP sustainer: ichrp.net/donate

KMP and the struggle against fascism

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This article is the third in a series on the important work of KMP. The other three articles are available to read here on the ICHRP website: ICHRP celebrates KMP’s 40 years, KMP and the struggle for land, KMP and the anti-imperialist struggle.

AN INSEPARABLE HISTORY

Founded during Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime, KMP’s history is inextricable from the long history of fascism in the Philippines. Since the 1980’s and beyond, Filipino peasants have endured countless brutal attacks and massacres aimed at silencing their collective demands for land and justice.

STANDING FIRM IN CALLS FOR JUSTICE

Despite the viciousness of the state’s unrelenting fascist attacks, KMP has not wavered in its fight for justice. They have led efforts to expose extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of activists and peace consultants, campaigned for the release of political prisoners, organized independent fact finding missions to unmask the truth, and pushed for investigations and inquiries into massacres.

BUILDING A MOVEMENT 

KMP has also contributed to agreements to protect human rights and address the root causes of conflict on both the national and international stage, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and  Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER). They have been instrumental in building networks and alliances to strengthen the peasant movement against fascist violence, such as ICHRP, Tanggol Magsasaka, and the Coalition for Land Against Martial Law and Oppression.

THE FIGHT AGAINST FASCISM IS NOT JUST DEFENSIVE

At every point in its history, KMP has fought fascism in the country not only in defense of the peasant masses, but as an offensive step toward dismantling the oppressive and exploitative systems of feudalism, bureaucrat capitalism, and imperialism. ICHRP is invigorated by KMP’s resolute resistance against fascist attacks and stands firmly in solidarity with their fight for land, justice, and genuine peace!

Recording now available: ICHRP webinar on Filipino people’s struggle against corruption, plunder, and fascism

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Watch the recording at ichrp.net/Oct14Webinar

In the Philippines and across the world, Filipinos have demanded accountability and justice in response to the recent exposure of naked corruption within the Philippine government. While the Marcos government has sought to identify scapegoats and distance itself from the corruption, members of the Marcos clan are increasingly implicated alongside other dynastic families in the Philippine government as more information is exposed about the scandal.

The Marcos Jr regime has also responded with violent crackdown on protests. By September 23rd, police officers had arrested over 200 protestors in Manila after over 100,000 Manileños marched against the corrupt flood control projects. Police shot and killed a bystander who was returning from work.

The corruption behind the flood control projects, and the fascist response of the government, have captured international attention and agitation – but they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the broader problems facing the Filipino people.

On October 14, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) held a webinar about the anti-corruption protests, and the connections between this issue and the broader plunder and extraction from the Philippines by local and foreign elites – plunder that acutely affects the peasant farmers of the Philippine countryside. Our webinar featured speakers Maria Sol Taule, Teddy Casino, Ariel Casilao, and Peter Murphy.