The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA, Union of Workers in Agriculture) and its local affiliate in Tarlac, the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA, Alliance of Farm Workers in Hacienda Luisita), condemn in the highest terms Malacañang’s cruel and insensitive recent statements addressed to the victims of grave human rights abuses in Hacienda Luisita.

We are not surprised, however, that Presidential talking heads Abigail Valte and Manny Coloma have come to the immediate rescue of the President’s kin to downplay the crimes and to rub salt on the open wounds of beleaguered Luisita farmers. These obnoxious pronouncements only show that despite his denials, the President and his administration are very much involved in the Cojuangco-Aquino family’s crusade to maintain control of Hacienda Luisita.

Quick reaction statements against the Luisita farmers coming not from any spokesperson of TADECO or Hacienda Luisita, Inc., not from Peping or Ballsy, not even from Kris Aquino, but directly from Malacañang, send the public a clear and strong signal that the Aquino government will not allow truth and justice to prevail, even or especially within the President’s own backyard. Is it the policy of the Aquino government to block justice for Luisita farmers? Is it state policy to mock the downtrodden? Now we’ve just heard Malacañang practically say so.

We dare the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately act on the farmers’ complaints. The Office of the Ombudsman, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) must also order the immediate probe of erring officials and personnel in Tarlac province positively identified by the farmers. We also call on the members of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) in Central Luzon who have conducted field investigations in Hacienda Luisita in May to furnish the public with their reports and to continue investigating subsequent rights abuses in the area.

Serious abuses detailed by Luisita farmers in the complaints filed last Friday before the DOJ were committed by hired thugs, private security personnel, and armed state forces under the employ or with direct orders from the Cojuangco-Aquinos through their firm Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO). These abuses cannot be possibly “recycled from 2010” as Malacañang foolishly suggests, for they were committed only since last year, 2013, when the DAR commenced the implementation of the government’s bogus land distribution in Hacienda Luisita.

These abuses were committed despite, or in cruel retribution for, the Supreme Court decision on total land distribution in Hacienda Luisita. Most victims are local peasant leaders, activists and the ordinary tillers who have fought fearlessly for land and justice since the historic sugar workers strike in 2004. Some of them are survivors who have suffered gunshot wounds or have lost their loved ones during the Hacienda Luisita Massacre and to subsequent political killings and enforced disappearances.

The recent violations are documented and occasionally posted real-time on social media as alerts with pictures or videos from AMBALA, UMA and the Hacienda Luisita Peasant Supporters Network. The escalating tension and persistent abuses prompted advocates led by UMA, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Anakpawis Partylist to launch national fact-finding missions in September 2013 and April 2014.

The disturbing situation in Hacienda Luisita also led to the establishment of Luisita Watch, a network of advocates for the land and justice campaign of Luisita farmers.

The reign of impunity in Hacienda Luisita has even compelled Filipino-American activists like Joelle Lingat, who was with Luisita farmers during the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda, to bravely confront President Aquino during his recent visit in the US.

Luisita farmers need all the help to keep the campaign for land and justice within the public eye. We call on the thousands of students, educators, artists, church workers, activists, alternative media groups, and advocates from North America, Europe and Asia who have seen the situation from recent exposure trips and visits to help the farmers expose grave abuses in Hacienda Luisita. Write about what you have seen, post your pictures, repost articles and share content with Luisita Watch through its blog and social media accounts and use the hashtag #LandJustice4LuisitaFarmers. Let us call the attention of concerned government agencies, international institutions and the mainstream media.

The Peasant Women International Fact-finding Mission on landgrabbing, initiated by UMA and Amihan, will further investigate abuses in Luisita from October 16-18. Complete affidavits with annexes of the most recent batch of Hacienda Luisita farmer-victims will be made available to the public by then.

Since the historic sugar workers strike and tragic massacre in 2004, thousands of human rights and agrarian reform advocates from all over the world have come to Hacienda Luisita to witness the see the real condition of the farmworkers. We also call on them to join or initiate activities leading to the 10th year commemoration of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre (#HLMX) on November 16. The Luisita farmers’ fight is an enduring inspiration to all advocates of genuine agrarian reform and social justice.

To Malacañang we say, “Challenge accepted.” Abuses in Hacienda Luisita are real – thousands of supporters will help farmers prove it.

Ranmil Echanis
Deputy Secretary-General, UMA
Convenor, Luisita Watch
#56 K-9 St., Kamias, Quezon City

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Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
(Agricultural Workers Union)
Philippines
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Malacañang’s recent statement mocking a farmers’ group which filed criminal cases against the President’s relatives for atrocities in Hacienda Luisita only proves that Pres. BS Aquino still intervenes for his family’s interests in the plantation even if he supposedly divested his shares there.

Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO), which is owned by the President’s uncle, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., and board member Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, the President’s sister, should instead be the ones to prove that they are not guilty of the crimes attributed to them, instead of Malacañang dismissing these as merely a smear campaign and PR stunt.

Malacañang from the very start intervened on behalf of the President’s family interests in the Hacienda. Through the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Secretary, who the President appointed, it conducted a sham land reform program in Hacienda Luisita.

This included providing Barangay Captain Edgardo Aguas of Barangay (village) Central a lot allocation in the land distribution even if he was never a farm worker in the Hacienda.

Lately, the barangay official, who is listed in the annual report of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT) as one of its stockholders, was given PhP3.5 million from the President’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) for the construction of a new barangay hall. Malacañang also defended this by saying that this was important to provide services to the grassroots.

It is a different matter though what really is happening in the grassroots. In a sworn statement made by Raymundo Alcaide, one of those who filed cases against the President’s uncle and sister among others, stated:

On December 12, 2013, TADECO startled us by starting to bulldoze our farm lands and huts without any legal basis such as a court order. At around 5:00 pm, security guards of TADECO fenced off with barbed wire the land I farmed and the hut where I lived, then set up an outpost using materials from my hut. They also prevented me from entering my hut and farm land.

Then on December 21, around 100 police including armed members of the Special Weapons and Tactics, and 20 security guards of TADECO, came to destroy other farm lands and huts. Our barangay captain tried to negotiate with them, including with Villamor Lagunero, the representative of TADECO. But the talks failed.

The one who drove the bulldozer that further destroyed crops and huts was Al Martinez, who is a known goon of Peping Cojuangco.

The Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid ng Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) advices Malacañang just to shut up in the ongoing legal case and agrarian dispute in the Hacienda.  Its intervention only proves that the President’s “daang matuwid” or straight path is nothing but a sham.

More damning evidence against the President’s kin would be exposed when an International Fact Finding Mission (IFFM) investigates and documents more atrocities this coming October 16 – 18 in the Hacienda.

Reference:
Gi Estrada
Media Officer
+639166114181
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Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
(Agricultural Workers Union)
Philippines
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Rights group Hustisya today stands in unity with farmers and farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente , church people’s organizations and human rights advocates in remembering Bishop Alberto Ramento, killed eight years ago today in his parish in Tarlac City.

“Eight years after Bishop Ramento was killed, the land where his blood was spent still cries for justice. We are called today to give him the best fitting remembrance by continuing to demand justice and support to the farmers and farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita whom he loved and stood up with,” said Cristina Guevarra, Hustisya secretary general.

Ramento was found bathing in his own blood inside his rectory at San Sebastian Parish on October 3, 2006, with seven stab wounds in his body. After a hasty investigation, Police ruled the killing as a simple case of robbery with homicide.

“We stay firm that the case remains unsolved. As long as impunity prevails in Hacienda Luisita, from the Arroyo government to the BS Aquino government, there is still no justice for Bishop Ramento and other victims of extrajudicial killings there,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra noted that Ramento’s death belongs to the series of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in Tarlac where “the unholy alliance of the landlord clan Cojuangco-Aquino, the Aquino government and the military” conspires now to perpetuate the suppression and oppression of the people of Hacienda Luisita.

“Among the members of that alliance is Gen. Jovito Palparan, who is now protected and pampered by the BS Aquino government. This mixes very well with Pres. Aquino’s continued protection of his own haciendero family’s interests, shedding farmers’ blood anywhere in the country, while bleeding the people dry,” said Guevarra.

The group said Ramento’s death marks the start of the commemoration of the 10th year of the Hacienda Luisita massacre on November 16.

“Pres. Aquino and his haciendero clan continue to subvert the decision of the Supreme Court in 2012 to distribute the land to the tillers. We shall continue to stand for justice for the farmers, as what Bishop Ramento did. Victims will continue to rise up and cry for land and justice!” said Guevarra.

Reference:
Cristina Guevarra
Hustisya secretary general
0949-1772928

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Hustisya National Office
2/F #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Streets
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City 1100 Philippines
Telephone: (02) 434-7486 | (02) 435-4146
Mobile: 0949-1772928
E-mail: hustisya.national@gmail.com

The Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid ng Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) join the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) today in commemorating the 8th death anniversary of IFI Supreme Bishop Alberto B. Ramento who was killed by unknown assailants on October 3, 2006.

The late Bishop was honored as the “Bishop of the Poor Peasants and Workers”, when he earned the love and respect of farm workers in Hacienda Luisita for his staunch support to the historic sugar workers’ strike in 2004.

Bishop Ramento worked tirelessly to seek justice for the victims of the November 16, 2004 Hacienda Luisita Massacre. He actively joined international solidarity missions and consistently opposed the militarization of the sugar estate.

For his work as a fearless human rights advocate, Ramento earned the ire of the military, and received threats from elements led by “the butcher” General Jovito Palparan who was assigned in Central Luzon from 2005-2006. He then became a target for extra-judicial killing. Bishop Ramento was brutally stabbed in his rectory in Tarlac City.

Farmworkers believe that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is involved in the  systematic cover-up of the Ramento murder case. Police reports obscured  the political motives of the masterminds of the killing and made scapegoats of ordinary street-corner thieves. According to official police statements, Bishop Ramento was simply a victim of robbery with homicide.

Eight years after his death, justice remains elusive for Bishop Ramento with the Aquino administration’s special treatment for criminals like Palparan and with unabated rights violations in Hacienda Luisita.

Luisita farm workers will honor Bishop Ramento with an ecumenical service and tribute on October 16, 2014 in Hacienda Luisita. AMBALA and UMA will also pay tribute to Luisita strike supporters and labor leaders who also fell victim to extra-judicial killings in the month of October — Bayan-Muna Central Luzon Secretary General Florante Collantes  (killed October 15, 2005), Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union President and barangay Mapalacsiao Chairman Ricardo Ramos (killed October 25, 2005) and the most recent victim, Dennis dela Cruz of AMBALA who was found dead in the farmworkers’ collective farm on November 1, 2013.

The October 16 tribute to Bishop Ramento and other Luisita martyrs is part of a series of activities leading to the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre (HLMX) on November 16, 2014.

Reference:
Gi Estrada
UMA Media Officer
+639166114181

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By FLORIDA SIBAYAN
Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang-Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA)

What kind of message is the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz sending to the public in conferring unprecedented distinction to the Luisita Industrial Park – a hub widely-known to be part of the still dispute-ridden and controversial Hacienda Luisita estate?

While it is up to the workers themselves in the Luisita Industrial Park (LIP) to contest the ostentatious designation made by the DOLE in naming the LIP as the very first “Labor Law Compliant Eco-zone” in the country, this does not belie the fact that aggressive land grabbing and brazen human rights violations are continuously being perpetrated by the LIP administration under the Luisita Realty Corporation (LRC).

The LRC is one among the many notorious corporate avatars of the Cojuangco-Aquino family in Hacienda Luisita, where presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz is director while Pinky Aquino-Abellada and Viel Aquino-Dee sit as top stockholders.

DOLE’s conferment may be used to prop up the LRC’s pending application before the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) Board to incorporate 260.4 hectares of agricultural land in Barangay Balete, Luisita to the existing Luisita Industrial Park complex. The PEZA granted the LRC a pre-qualification clearance on February 13, 2014, barely a week after the Cojuangco-Aquinos ordered the burning of farmers’ homes and the bulldozing of crops within the contested property.

Another Cojuangco-Aquino firm, Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO) ordered the aggressive attacks against Hacienda Luisita farmers in Balete.  Violent eviction of farmers, bulldozing of ready-to-harvest palay crops and fencing off of the 260-hectare area from its tillers continued even after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) affirmed the agricultural nature of the said property by issuing a Notice of land reform coverage (NOC) on December 17, 2013. The DAR did not lift a finger to stop TADECO’s assaults against Luisita farmers.

The headquarters of the 31^st company of the 3^rd Mechanized Battalion of the Philippine Army was constructed within this 260-hectare area last year with the blessings of the LRC. Soldiers have, since then, been practically deployed to serve in the Cojuangco-Aquino private army, intermitently mobilized to harass and evict farmers from the area. Bulldozers of the Cojuangco-Aquino family which were used to destroy farmers’ crops and homes are usually  parked right beside the army headquarters.

In successive incidents from September 2013 to March 2014, TADECO was able to evict tillers even without a court order through the deployment of private security guards, local police and fully-armed SWAT teams. The attacks resulted in the death of one of our members, Dennis dela Cruz, several cases of mauling, attempted murder and unlawful arrest, and the filing of harassment suits against hundreds of farmers.

Personnel – thugs – hired by the Cojuangco-Aquino family from the Great Star Security Agency, one of the Luisita Industrial Park’s subcontractors, are directly responsible for the violent attacks against farmers in Barangays Balete and Cutcut.  Great Star Security Services, Inc. was also declared compliant with General Labor Standards and issued Certificates of Compliance (CoC) yesterday, October 1, in a high-profile ceremony at the LIP compound which was graced by Baldoz herself.

Security guards from the Great Star Security Services Inc. are also involved in the shooting of a group of farmers in disputed farmlands in Barangay Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga on July 28, 2014. It seems that violation of human rights is their forte.

The Cojuangco-Aquinos are hell-bent on maintaining control of the Luisita estate and in implementing their grand master plan to convert the sugar plantation into a giant commercial hub, in contempt and complete reversal of the 2012 Supreme Court decision for total land distribution.

Ten years after the Hacienda Luisita Massacre, Luisita farmers are still denied land and justice. President BS Aquino’s alter-egos like Baldoz of  DOLE and Gil delos Reyes of DAR, act like extensions of this insatiable landlord family in ruthlessly extracting every last drop of blood, sweat and tears from Luisita farmworkers.

For Reference:
FLORIDA SIBAYAN
c/o AMBALA – Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
56 K-9 Street, Kamias, Quezon City
Contact Number: +639293201477