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Farmers clash with police, security guards in Hacienda Luisita

ICHRP Secretariat
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Farmers clash with police, security guards in Hacienda Luisita

Farmers slam DAR for inaction, partiality towards TADECO

A hundred farmers in Barangay (village) Balete, Hacienda Luisita clashed this morning with around 60 security guards and police officers who thwarted their attempt to assert their claim on lands they have been tilling since 2005.

Said properties are now being land grabbed by Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO) which is a suspect in the killing of Dennis de la Cruz on November 1 and which filed cases against farmers in Barangay Cutcut on November 4 for unlawful detainer.

On November 12, TADECO bulldozed houses set up by a few families in Balete and stated that they were also constructing a road in the property they are land grabbing.

TADECO suddenly appeared in the picture of the ongoing land saga in Hacienda Luisita right after the Lot Allocation Certificate (LAC) distribution in Cutcut on July 18, 2013.  Initially it set-up security guard outposts in the two barangays and eventually gave warning letters to around 100 farmers demanding that they stop encroaching on said property.

Ka Pong Sibayan, acting chairperson of Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and her mother Maria Versola were slightly injured when they fell while struggling with security guards near the foundation of the hut they were trying to set-up. Ka Pong also hurt slightly her nape and shoulder.

An apologist of Noynoy Aquino working as a columnist in a Manila newspaper earlier wrote that Mr. de la Cuz, which he wrongly named as Mr. Cayabyab allegedly died of an accident. He revealed that supposedly there is a witness to this and that photos of SOCO also proved that this was indeed what happened.

There was no autopsy, however, done on Mr. de la Cruz. The family told AMBALA who visited his wake and paid a tribute to him, that they were afraid of repercussions if they would agree to have his cadaver autopsied.

Overall, however, it is the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that has been the staunchest apologists for TADECO and the Cojuangco-Aquinos. It stated that the lands being grabbed by said firm are not part of the lands that were distributed to farm worker beneficiaries as ruled by the Supreme Court.

DAR Secretary de los Reyes also warned the farmers that they had no right to till the land as they are still determining its status. He added that those who encroach and till the land would have no right to own it if they decide that this should be distributed later to them.

The DAR chief however has remained silent on the recent actions done by TADECO. It is only a continuation of its unabashed subservience to the Cojuangco-Aquino clan who owns the Hacienda when it undertook a sham land distribution there. But that is another story.

Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
(Agricultural Workers Union)

Source Verification:
Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Florida “Pong” Sibayan, Acting Chairperson, AMBALA
CP no. +639293201477
Follow UMA Pilipinas on Twitter

Updates on situation and relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan

ICHRP Secretariat
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Updates on situation and relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan

Thank you very much for those who extended their solidarity with the Filipino people, in these grave and trying moments in our history. Your kind words and support are very much appreciated – especially in the midst of the obscenely criminal neglect of the Philippine government to prepare and respond to the crisis.

Even several international news agencies whose journalists are near the badly affected areas in the Visayas have pointedly criticized the Aquino administration for its ineptitude in addressing the needs of our kababayans in the provinces affected by the typhoon – CNN says that there is no leader, no centralized civilian government responding appropriately to the tragedy – a very emotional yet factual and objective assessment and sentiment of the majority of the Filipino people who were victimized and who have witnessed the impact of the typhoon.

The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recorded more than 1,800 deaths in several provinces, but local and international media, and our network of people’s organisations in the area have estimated that there is an estimated 10,000 people who perished. Please see: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/526485/yolanda-death-toll-breaches-1800-80000-houses-totally-destroyed-ndrrmc.

Philippine President Aquino has conveniently laid the blame again to the local government, that the they were ill-prepared for the storm – despite national government’s full knowledge of the intensity and impact of the typhoon – and in effect, laying the blame on the victims themselves because of the sense of “lawlessness” (because mainstream media and the President’s men having conveniently propped up the “looting” incidents in the area). Thus, additional military and police personnel were deployed for the security situation – not for humanitarian response – and a curfew has been imposed in the provinces covered by the state of national calamity declaration.

Despite millions of dollars of humanitarian aid coming from different foreign governments directed through the Philippine government, the victims have been asking – where are the relief goods, where are the temporary shelters, where is much needed medical support? These are in fact questions that have been asked by most Filipinos, every time a disaster like this happens, and this has been especially highlighted because of the ongoing emerging issues of corruption in the country by government officials.

Karapatan and people’s organisations and faith-based institutions have deployed advance teams in Samar and Leyte since Monday, mainly to locate human rights defenders and their families in the area. We have effectively reestablished contacts with our chapter and member organisations in samar and Leyte. Our coordinator, Pastor Irma Balaba, her 5-year old daughter, and her family were almost swept away (they hanged on to electricity posts, when the storm surge waters hit Tacloban City), if not for the successful rescue attempts of  their neighbor.

The Bethany Hospital of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines, which offers free services for the human rights victims and poor families, has been destroyed and only the flooring was left – the roof, hospital equipment, etc were wiped out – but luckily the patients were evacuated to rooftops but one patient died. Several communities of militarized communities and families of political prisoners were rendered homeless.

They are all in a state of shock and are dazed with what has happened, but they are now in the process of recovery by conducting relief work among those affected. We are in the process of gathering all the financial and material support, and we will be able to send 5,000 packs of relief support hopefully by tomorrow when transport lines will be available. For those who were asking for the details on how they can contribute financial support, you may donate through:

Paypal: karapatan.admin@gmail.com

Through our bank account

Account Name: Karapatan
Account Number: 186-2-18600268-1
Bank: Metrobank, Kalayaan Avenue Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
IBAN: MBTCPHMM

Or through Western Union with the following details: send c/o Cristina Palabay

Telephone number: +632-4354146

I attached a picture which appeared in the front page of the national and local dailies here. I am also including here the speech of Climate Change Commissioner Naderev Sano in the COP18 Climate Change Summit in Warsaw, Poland – an excellent statement of the woes and pleas of the Filipino people. Naderev is actually one of the very few public officials in the Philippines who has kept in touch with people’s organisations on their comprehensive analysis on climate justice, and we have known him since our time in the University of the Philippines as activists. Here is the video of his speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yITq61XedI.

In a few hours, we will also be joining the National Solidarity Action for the victims of the typhoon – a caravan will be conducted in schools and communities to collect relief goods and donations – and a candlelighting activity will be held. Fundraising activities are also being conducted by many friends outside the country.

Words cannot describe how deeply we appreciate your efforts and kind words – the warm solidarity you have extended for the Philippines – and we continue to seek your support as we overcome these tragic events.

Sincerely,

Cristina “Tinay” Ellazar Palabay
Karapatan Secretary General
and Tanggol Bayi (Defend Women) – Philippines Convenor

Email: noztalzia2@gmail.com
Mobile number: +63917-3162831
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinay.palabay
Twitter: @TinayPalabay

Urgent appeals for the typhoon victims and survivors

ICHRP Secretariat
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Urgent appeals for the typhoon victims and survivors

Dear friends and colleagues,

Greetings of peace! As a response to the urgent needs of our kababayans stricken by typhoons Yolanda and Santi, and the recent earthquake in the Philippines, we are soliciting financial and relief support for them.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake has devastated more than 3 million people in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor and has claimed the lives of nearly 200 individuals in the area. With livelihood and homes shattered, earthquake victims are in need of our help to provide relief and rebuild their communities. Santi, on the other hand, swept vast farm lands in Central Luzon. In four barangays in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac alone, an estimate of 27M worth rice crops and homes were destroyed.

Yolanda has claimed 151 lives in Eastern Visayas, according to the Phil. National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, while disaster aid groups have estimated the death toll at around 1,200. Karapatan chapters in the regions together with other people’s organizations are conducting relief drives and missions to communities most devastated by the typhoons and earthquake.

Any amount that will be collected will be sent to them to buy potable water, ready-to-eat food and materials for reconstruction of their homes and sources of livelihood.

We will likewise be conducting a fundraising event entitled “Ukay-ukay for Human Rights” on November 14-15, 2013 for the benefit of the typhoon and earthquake victims, which you can support by either donating your pre-loved items or by patronizing the products that will be sold during the event.

We at the Karapatan-National Office are asking for your immediate support to extend financial help for the victims of the earthquake. You can send it through:

For US dollars:
Account Name: Karapatan
Account Number: 186-2-18600268-1
Bank: Metrobank, Kalayaan Avenue Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
IBAN: MBTCPHMM

For Philippine Peso:
Account Name: Karapatan
Account Number: 186-3-18618361-5
Bank: Metrobank, Kalayaan Avenue Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Or through (Paypal, Western Union, or other money transfers): You can contact Ms. Ghay Portajada through numbers +632 4354146 or 0917-8299202 and through email at karapatan@karapatan.org for your donations.

In times of crisis such as this, we are all called upon to respond to the immediate needs of our brothers and sisters. Thank you for your relentless support.

Sincerely,

Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General

—
KARAPATAN National Office
2/F Erythrina Building #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Sts., Central District,
1100 Quezon City
Email: karapatan@karapatan.org, karapatan.admin@gmail.com
Telefax: +632.4354146
Web Site: http://www.karapatan.org

 

From Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN or New Patriotic Alliance)
November 11, 2013

Reference: Renato M. Reyes, Jr. Secretary General

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan calls on all its chapters and member organizations in the Philippines and abroad to undertake mass mobilization for relief efforts for the victims of  Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). We call on unions, employees’ associations, student organizations, community organizations and the general public to contribute to the efforts to help the communities ravaged by Yolanda. Through the Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan or BALSA, we are currently receiving cash and donations in kind intended for the victims of the typhoon.

The strongest storm to make landfall this year, and perhaps the most powerful in recorded history, may have claimed up to 10,000 lives according to some estimates. The storm cut a swath of destruction throughout the Visayas region in the Philippines, affecting as many as 4 million people across 36 provinces.

Many areas in the Eastern Visayas region remain without food, water, power and communications facilities. Entire communities have been levelled by the storm. Looting has been reported by the media. Worst hit were the coastal communities. The first area hit by the storm, Guiuan, Eastern Samar have initially reported as many as 300 dead. Relief workers are also trying to reach rural communities also believed to be devastated by the strong winds and the storm surge.

The situation of the people is made even more difficult by the backward socio-economic conditions in these provinces. The worst hit region, Eastern Visayas, ranks the third poorest region in the Philippines as of 2013. Of all the regions in the country, it alone posted negative growth in 2012 according to the National Statistical Coordinating Board. It registered the highest incidence of  families experiencing hunger according to  a 2011 government survey. Most vulnerable to the effects of the storm are the peasants and fisherfolk who live under conditions of poverty and underdevelopment. We fear for the situation of many villages near mountain areas which are also vulnerable due to the effects of large-scale mining and logging operations.

Another region hit, the Western Visayas, has a poverty incidence of 24.7% as of 2012 and an unemployment and underemployment rate of 27.8%. The region has reeled from slumping agriculture and fisheries. The impact of the storm will again take the greatest toll on the peasants and fisherfolk in the region.

Years of systemic fund misuse, as shown by the corruption in the pork barrel system, has further aggravated poverty in these regions. Those in power who are perpetuating the status quo are thus also liable for the dismal situation of the people in these regions.

At this point, government should prioritize relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the typhoon. Funds should be channelled directly to relief and rehab, primarily food and water, health care and shelter in the immediate, as well as livelihood and rebuilding of communities in the medium term. Government funding, such as those used for debt servicing or items that are considered part of the corrupt pork barrel system, should instead be used for the needs of the typhoon victims. We definitely take exception to the use of public funds for the promotion of narrow political interests at a time of severe crisis. Lastly, government should heed the people’s demands for social justice such as genuine land reform and an end to destructive mining and logging operations in these regions. Unless true economic development is undertaken in these regions, the vast majority of the population will continue to be increasingly vulnerable to the effects of calamities both natural and man-made.

We call on the people to join the International Day of Solidarity for the Victims of Yolanda on November 13 by holding assemblies, discussions and mobilizing people to contribute to relief efforts. ###

– See more at: http://www.bayan.ph/site/2013/11/bayan-calls-for-mass-mobilization-for-relief-efforts-for-typhoon-yolanda-victims/#sthash.fu7KevL5.dpuf

 

From the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

RURAL MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES
A Mission Partner of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines
# 6 K-JJ Street, East Kamias , Quezon City Tel # 961- 5094

E-mail: ab.ruralmissions2010@gmail.com

November 11, 2013

Angie Gonzales
International Coordinating Committee
for Human Rights in the Philippines

Greetings in the Lord!

On account of the calamities that hit our country one after another: a strong typhoon that hit Central Luzon in late September, followed by an earthquake that badly hit Cebu & Bohol in October and now (November 8) the super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) devastated Eastern Visayas, particularly Leyte and Samar including other provinces. We at the RMP national office received reports of the extent of damage, on how the poor suffer with whom we have been journeying with in the past four decades. We are present in all the provinces affected by the typhoon.

The storm surge went as high as 15 feet, causing flash floods in several low lying areas, affecting ten (10) regions, 44 provinces, 38 cities, 201 municipalities and 934 baranggays. Partial report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) as of Nov. 8 statistics shows: 500 people dead in Tacloban City Leyte alone, 55 from Eastern Samar, 5 from Iloilo, 4 from Coron, Palawan, 905,353 affected families, equivalent to 4,031,104 persons, with several persons injured and many are still missing.

In view of this, RMP would like to appeal for assistance, badly needed are : food items (noodles, canned goods, rice) medicines , clothing, bed sheets, kitchen utensils, slippers, mats, etc. We are currently asking for donations from different religious congregations, organizations, institutions and individuals by whatever means you can afford. You may also course your donation by depositing to our bank account name : Rural Missionaries of the Philippines at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Kamuning Branch Euro account # 3144032488.

If possible, we would like to invite you or a representative to come with us to the province on your available dates for the medical mission or relief distribution to become a witness to the condition of the poor typhoon victims. Your positive response would mean so much for our less-privileged brothers and sisters. Thank you very much.

Sincerely in Christ,

(sgd) Sr.M. Francis Añover,RSM
National Coordinator

 

Reflections on Churches’ witnessing with human rights victims

ICHRP Secretariat
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Reflections on Churches’ witnessing with human rights victims

By Rev. KYOUNG GYUN HAN
Asian Ministries Coordinator
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ)

At the time I was based in the Union Theological Seminary (UTS) in the Philippines, local villagers including indigenous people who resisted mining operations and militarization have been forcibly displaced from their communities.

The seminary served as sanctuary for the refugees, despite the threat of harassment and intimidation by state security forces. For the students’ theological training, they were encouraged to be aware of the plight of the poor and marginalized sectors, especially the victims of human rights atrocities.

I believe the UTS support for the refugees is one good example of church solidarity with the victims of injustice. Walking and working with the poor is not optional. It is in fact, a basic role and sacred duty of the church.

Prophetic Voices Silenced

During my ministry in the Philippines I have personally met some of the clergy and lay church workers whose lives were brutally taken as they were known to be outspoken critics of government corruption and human rights abuses.

One of them was The Most Rev. Alberto Ramento, Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church, an active supporter of striking sugarworkers of Hacienda Luisita. He was not only a Bishop of the Church – he was a dearly beloved Bishop of the Poor. Assassins broke through the rectory where Bishop Ramento was staying at around 4:00 am of October 03, 2006 in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City. He was awakened in his sleep when the assassins had entered his room and stabbed him seven times to death.

Hacienda Luisita is one of the country’s biggest land monopoly controlled by the Cojuangco-Aquino clan. Bishop Ramento was added to the long list of poor peasants and genuine land reform advocates who were brutally silenced by those who are determined to maintain their excessive wealth at the expense of the poor.

Global Voices Denounce Incessant Killings

As hundreds of Filipinos became victims of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, my co-workers in the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) along with other member-churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed indignation over the Philippines human rights crisis.

As current Asian Ministries Coordinator of Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), I was invited to attend the International Conference for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (ICHRPP) last July in Manila through the support of Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (PSNA). I was very happy for the chance to return to my second home, where I spent more than 7 years of ministry in Southern Luzon, one of the regions with the highest number of documented rights abuses.

It was a big conference of over 200 people from around the globe. It is such an honour to be part of a global network including churches actively supporting the Filipino people’s quest for justice and peace. The ICHRPP deplored the fact that far from his 2010 election promise to deliver justice for human rights victims of past regimes, Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino’s 3-year administration now holds a record of ZERO conviction of perpetrators of rights abuses and added more victims: 142 extra-judicial killings, 540 illegal arrests, 76 cases of torture, 30, 678 forced evacuations, 31,417 cases of threats/harassment/intimidation, and 27,029 cases of use of schools, medical, religious and other public places.

NZ Churches in Solidarity with Philippines

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) was born out of the conference which I attended in Manila.

Coming back to New Zealand, I pledged to watch out Philippine situation, engage in solidarity action and strengthen migrants’ ministry particularly in Auckland and Christchurch, where hundreds of Filipinos are coming over for project rebuild. Our efforts to support the clamor for justice and peace in the Philippines include the following actions:

  • On 19th August, Rev. Stuart Vogel and I joined the Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) in making paper cranes (Japanese origami) in support of the campaign to Surface James Balao and all victims of enforced disappearances. Based on the ancient Japanese legend that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, we expressed support for all the families awaiting the return of their loved ones who have been abducted by state agents.
  • On 5th September we sent a joint PCANZ-Methodist letter of concern to the Philippine Embassy regarding the harassment of another pastor of our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), among other persistent rights abuses under the Aquino presidency. We also highlighted call urging the Government of the Philippines to immediately resume formal peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
  • On 17th October, marking two years since the killing of Fr. Fausto ‘Pops’ Tentorio, PIME, we gathered at St John’s Presbyterian Church to remember the martyrdom and lighted candles for justice for Fr. Pops. Rev. Prince Devanandan of the NZ Methodist Church shared his reflection, “We live today in a world where money has become more important than human life. The military in the Philippines and many countries controlled by the multinationals are only taught to kill those who resist injustice, but not taught to respect human life and dignity.”

In support of the goals of the ICHRP, I vow to hold the Filipino people always in our prayers, and hope to engage more New Zealanders in global ecumenical solidarity actions for justice and peace in the Philippines.

Private corporations, government plan wipe out of Hacienda Dolores communities

ICHRP Secretariat
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Private corporations, government plan wipe out of Hacienda Dolores communities

Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL)

Led by Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Hacienda Dolores (ANMHD, Association of the United Citizens of Hacienda Dolores), Karapatan-Central Luzon, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasants Movement of the Philippines) and Anakpawis Party-list, a National Fact-finding and Solidarity Mission (NFFSM) was held at the Hacienda Dolores in Porac town on 30-31 October to investigate alleged land grabbing and displacement efforts by Leonardo-Lachenal-Leonio Holdings Inc. (LLL or LHI), FL Property Management Corp. (FL Corp.) and Ayala Land, Inc.

The activity was also joined by groups such as the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Social-Pastoral Apostolate of Holy Family Academy (Angeles city) and St. Scholastica Academy – Manila, Central Luzon Ayta Association, Aguman Dareng Maglalautang Capampangan (AMC), AMBALA – Hacienda Luisita, Karapatan – National, Sinagbayan, Anakbayan, Bayan Muna – Pampanga, PDIARS and KM 64.

LHI and FL Corp. have claimed about 754 hectares of the 2,099-hectare Hacienda Dolores which is connected by an interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

“The people of Hacienda Dolores is in grave distress, facing the land grabbing measures of LHI, FL Corp. and Ayala Land.  The children, women, elderly and farmers have their own stories shared in the activity,” Joseph Canlas said, AMGL chairperson and Anakpawis Party-list regional coordinator.

“The private corporations have violated the socio-economic rights of the people of Hacienda Dolores, when they were barred from attending to their farms since 2011. LHI and FL Corp. also destroyed crops, bulldozed of their farms, and their guards snatched livestock and poultry owned by the farmers.  They filed trumped up charges against the farmers resulting to illegal arrests.  These corporations are essentially killing the people as their sources of livelihood are being cut off,” Canlas said.

The NFFSM group initially documented 26 cases of destruction and divestment of properties, victimizing 21 farmers, five peasant women; one case of illegal mass arrest victimizing 12 farmers on 4 November 2011; one case of illegal arrest and detention on 28 July this year; two separate cases of harassment, threat and intimidation; and a case of coercion to a farmer to sign a waiver of voluntary surrender of land and recruitment of local and indigenous Ayta to serve as goons and security guards.

According to a certain Ruben Zalta, 79 years old, one of the eldest in the village cultivating 1.5 hectare of rice land, 7 hectare with vegetable crops, 20 mango trees and 15 coconut tree, 2 hectare with guava trees.  He was a victim of coercion to sign the waiver on 24 August this year when about 20 unidentified men in jackets and bonnets surrounded him with his 81-year old wife, Teresita Zalta and said “papatayin kita kapag hindi ka pumirma sa waiver” (I will kill you if you don’t sign the waiver).

Zalta, then trembling, signed the waiver in front of a man with hand inside the jacket’s pocket, apparently holding something. After the incident, he filed a complaint at the barangay hall but told to complain at the municipal hall.  At the town hall, he was advised to return to the barangay hall but faced with chairman Nestor Tolentino, his son-in-law replying “wala na tayong magagawa dahil nasa korte na,” (there is nothing we can do as it is already at the courts).  At present, his house was being used by the security guards as post and his poultry are missing.

In addition, some women, namely Rossan Colobong, Mercedita Angeles, Filipina Franco, Iluminada Ignacio, Rowena Santiago, Josephine De Jesus and Virginia Ayson resort to other work such as laundry, farm work, marketing and retail as they were not able to harvest their crops as their farms were fenced by LHI and FL Corp.  They said that their crops were stolen by the goons and security guards and this has affected their way of life as they lost source of income, for food and schooling of their children.

The women also supposed that they were able to harvest 10 to 15 tons of guava daily, and they were delivered to Pampang market in Angeles city, a guava jam factory in Bulacan and some parts of Metro Manila.  Thus, they were able to earn weekly about P3,000 to P7,500 from a price set to P10 to P25 per kg of guava.  Since May this year, as their farms were seized from them, they lost about P180,000 of potential income.

The land grabbing of LHI and FL Corp. also affected the youth in Hacienda Dolores.  A young girl named Merry Jane G. Franco, 18 years old, was not able to go to college as her family lost their source of income.  She witnessed how the security guards barred her parents to attend their farm, demolished their house, declining number of livestock and poultry and destruction of their crops.

The LHI is claiming 298 hectares covering Purok 3 to 8 of Hacienda Dolores, while FL Corp. is claiming 456 hectares ranging from th plains to the mountain tops involving some ancestral lands of Ayta communities. Ayala Land has publicized their plan with Hacienda Dolores, covering 1,000 hectares to be developed similar to the Nuvali project in Sta. Rosa city in Laguna province. Nuvali is an eco-residential and tourism project catering rich foreign and local businesses.  LHI and FL Corp. has already barred at least 350 farmers from attending their farms.

“The case of Hacienda Dolores is an unquestionable instance of bankruptcy of past and present land reform laws. The farmers’ ancestors have cultivated the lands since the Spanish colonialism, even before any Philippine government or constitution was established. But now, they are being displaced and their livelihood seized,” Canlas said.

Hacienda Dolores farmers said that their ancestors have cultivated the lands since 1835, in a farming community of 20 households. The lands were then claimed by Gregorio Macapinlac during the late 19th century and from 1916 to 1975 were claimed by the Champourchin family. During the Marcos dictatorship, part of Hacienda Dolores was claimed by the Puyat family and in 1999 by Dayrit family. In 2005, LHI began claiming lands and attempted to displace farmers while FL Corp. started in 2007.

“It is very clear that government laws did not serve the farmers of Hacienda Dolores.  Since the Land Reform Act of Magsaysay in 1955 until the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with “Reforms” or CARPer, the farmers still do not secure the lands they have cultivated,” Canlas said.

“The moral and just demand of Hacienda Dolores farmers and residents is their lands to be given back, punish the private corporations and their goons and security guards,” Canlas added.

AMGL said that it would take a miracle for the Aquino government to serve the interest of the people of Hacienda Dolores. With Aquino’s family scheming to keep control over the vast lands of Hacienda Luisita, Aquino is clearly on the side of private corporations and his financial backer Ayala Land. Aquino is also pushing the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program which means nothing but the collusion of the government and rich foreign and local business to rake up profits from the country’s natural and human resources.

“It is imperative that poor Hacienda Dolores farmers and residents to firmly defend their rights to land. We call on different sectors to support their struggle as it is one with the poor and oppressed sectors of the country. Their emancipation is the genuine step to development in our country, not the concrete, superficial projects of Ayala Land and similar corporations,” Canlas called.

REFERENCE:
Joseph Canlas
Chairperson, AMGL
+639182335050

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