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
—
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: [email protected]
