60-year old woman farmer leader, first casualty of Aquino’s unilateral termination of peace talks 

The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today condemned the Aquino administration for the abduction by suspected state agents of a woman farmer leader in Cagayan De Oro last April 27.

The peasant group said the enforced disappearance of Estelita “Nanay Neneng” T. Tacalan, 60 years old, was the first case of attack against progressives after the government’s unilateral termination of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Tacalan is the first casualty of the Aquino government’s arbitrary and unilateral termination of the peace talks. We hold Aquino and his peace panel composed of liars and hawks for enforced disappearance of Tacalan,” says KMP secretary general Antonio Flores.

Flores added that “the disappearance of Tacalan bears the indelible ink of the Gestapo-like abduction by state security forces of farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, Iloilo peasant leader Nilo Arado and human rights Luisa Posa-Dominado, who were abducted just a few weeks before the elections the 2007 mid-term elections.”

Reports reaching KMP office in Quezon City states that “Last April 27, st nine o’clock in the morning Tacalan, left the regional headquarters of Makabayan, a coalition of progressive partylist group located at Camaman-an Cagayan de Oro city following a meeting on electoral concerns and preparations for May 1 Labor day activities the previous day.”

“She was supposed to be on her way to Misamis Oriental East to meet up with her colleagues and iron out plans for the upcoming activities. But by 6pm, people begin to worry when her mobile phones were already out of reach. Following days, relatives, communities and possible areas of her presence were already contacted but unfortunately not a trace of her could be found,” the report said.

Tacalan is a member progressive peasant group KMP and Anakpawis Partylist.

“Being a long time member of KMP she has been active in organizing farming communities in the rural areas and has been tireless in campaigning for genuine agrarian reform, social justice and human rights. Protesting against despotic landlords, lobbying peasant concerns to local government units and on several occasions falling victims of state sponsored surveillance operations and harassments characterized much of Tacalan’s work in KMP,” the peasant group claimed.

“Her disappearance can be attributed to her staunch opposition to the anti-peasant policies and her genuine desire to change of the cruel and inhuman conditions experienced by the farmers in the grassroots,” the KMP added. 

The KMP demanded the Aquino government to immediately surface Tacalan.

Tacalan has been missing for more than 10 days now. We demand Aquino, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to order the surfacing of Tacalan,” Flores said. #

KMP slams Palace’s “blatant lies” on peace talks

GPH avoiding Hacienda Luisita to be discussed 

The activist peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today assailed what it described as “blatant lies” of the Aquino government (GPH) in the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and that the government panel is avoiding the free distribution of Hacienda Luisita to be discussed. 

“We are closely monitoring the peace negotiations and Malacanang’s statement that the NDF ‘killed’ the peace talks by insisting on the release of detained consultants is a deliberate distortion of the facts. These are blatant lies,” says KMP deputy secretary general Randall Echanis.

Echanis who is also an NDFP consultant and member of the Reciprocal Working Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-CASER) said “the release of detained NDFP consultants is not a precondition or a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the talks but an agreement the GPH and NDFP entered into and signed in February 2011 that the GPH should comply.”

Echanis maintained that “the real reason behind the GPH’s scheme to turn the tables against the NDFP is the Aquino regime’s lack of interest on the next substantive agenda on social and economic reforms.”

“Obviously, they don’t want to go back to the negotiating table because the next agenda involves genuine land reform including the free distribution of Hacienda Luisita,” Echanis said adding: “the so-called preconditions being hyped by Malacanang is only a convoluted excuse for its incompetence to address the root causes of the civil war.”

The KMP leader also assailed Lacierda’s statement that the NDFP had been informed of the government’s decision to formally stop the negotiations because “they discussed this with the government panel.”

“This shows Lacierda’s ignorance on the peace negotiations with the NDFP. The ground rules of the peace negotiations require any of the parties to submit formal notice to each party and not simply discuss the termination. Even the GPH’s unilateral termination of the peace talks requires formal notice to the NDFP,” says Echanis. 

The KMP reiterated calls on the Aquino government to comply with previous agreements entered into by the GPH and go back to the negotiating table with the NDFP.

“We strongly call on the Aquino government to resume peace negotiations with the NDFP, start with the substantive agenda on economic reforms to address the centuries-old landlessness of farmers across the country. Only with genuine land reform can peace be achieved,” the KMP leader said. #

Palace Oplan Bayanihan statement “alarming,” says peasant group

Lacierda “ignorance” on root causes of civil war, insult to farmers slammed

The activist peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ngPilipinas (KMP) today expressed alarm over the Malacanang’s statement that it will continue to implement the counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bayanihan while paving the way for  the termination of the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines could result in a fresh wave of extra-judicial killings and human rights violations. 

The peasant group was reacting to Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda’s statement saying “the Oplan Bayanihan continues. It is a plan to win the hearts and minds of the rebels in the mountains, in the rebel-infested areas.”

“Lacierda’s statement to continue Oplan Bayanihan while contemplating on terminating the peace negotiations with the NDFP shows that the government’s so-called ‘new approach’ to peace is the escalation of all-out war in the countryside,” says KMP deputy secretary general Randall Echanis.

Echanis described “Oplan Bayanihan” as nothing but “a rehash of the counter-insurgency plan Bantay Laya that targeted leaders of people’s organizations” recalling that “extra-judicial killings escalated after the Arroyo regime unilaterally suspended the peace negotiations.”

“Lacierda’s statement would embolden the fascist armed forces to intensify its armed attacks against leaders and members of progressive organizations,” says Echanis, also an NDFP consultant and member of the Reciprocal Working Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-CASER).

The KMP leader also blasted Lacierda for his “ignorance on the root causes of the civil war” for dismissing as mere “jargons” that had become passé, important matters  such as “national industrialization.”

“Lacierda’s mode of thinking shows ignorance on the root causes of the civil war and is an insult to Filipino peasants who are being pushed by the present oppressive and exploitative condition to take up arms. The absence of genuine land reform and national industrialization perpetuates injustice against farmers and the prevailing agrarian and backward Philippine countryside and society,” he said.

“This demonstrates that the Aquino government is not sincere in achieving peace and has no interest at all in discussing genuine land reform and national industrialization to address the root causes of the ongoing civil war,” Echanis added.

The KMP called on the Aquino government to comply with previous agreements entered into by the GPH and go back to the negotiating table with the NDFP. 

“We strongly call on the Aquino government to resume peace negotiations with the NDFP, start with the substantive agenda on economic reforms to address the centuries-old landlessness of farmers across the country. Only with genuine land reform can peace be achieved,” the KMP leader said. #

KMP slams Aquino peace panel for “closing doors to peace, genuine land reform”

The activist peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today assailed Aquino government for “closing the doors to peace and genuine land reform.”

The KMP issued the statement after Alexander Padilla, Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chairperson in the peace negotiation with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, reportedly said that “We cannot wait forever for the other side if they continually refuse to go back to the negotiating table without preconditions.”

“We have always been open to resume formal negotiations with them, but they (NDFP) keep on insisting on preconditions, such as the release of their detained consultants,” Padilla said.

But KMP deputy secretary general Randall Echanis said “the real reason behind Padilla’s statement is the GPH’s lack of interest on the next substantive agenda on social and economic reforms.”

“It is the Aquino government who is not sincere in achieving peace. The Aquino government’s refusal to go back to the negotiating table is linked with its lack of interest to discuss genuine land reform and national industrialization to address the root causes of the ongoing civil war,” says Echanis, also an NDFP consultant and member of the Reciprocal Working Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-CASER).

“The release of detained NDFP consultants is not a precondition or a confidence-building measure for the resumption of the talks but an agreement the GPH and NDFP entered into and signed in February 2012 that the GPH should comply,” he said. 

The peasant leader said “the GPH is only making hype over the so-called preconditions by the NDFP as a convoluted excuse for its incompetence to address the root causes of the civil war.”

“It appears that the GPH panel and its propaganda mill are turning the tables against the NDFP when, in fact, it is the one who is not really sincere in achieving peace and genuine agrarian reform,” Echanis said.

The KMP called on the Aquino government to comply with previous agreements entered into by the GPH and go back to the negotiating table with the NDFP.

“We strongly call on the Aquino government to resume peace negotiations with the NDFP, start with the substantive agenda on economic reforms to address the centuries-old landlessness of farmers across the country. Only with genuine land reform can peace be achieved,” the KMP leader said.#

Farmers dare BOC to “name, shame, and jail” protectors of rice smugglers

Distribute P1.2 B worth of smuggled rice to “Pablo” survivors, poorest of the poor

The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today dared the Aquino government and the Bureau of Customs to “name, shame, and charge with economic sabotage” the protectors of rice smugglers in the country.

The KMP issued the statement after a P1.2 billion worth or an estimated 600,000 sacks of smuggled rice was seized by the Bureau of Customs in Cebu. 

KMP secretary general Antonio Flores said “naming the so-called consignees is not enough. Their protectors in governments should also be named, shamed, and charged with economic sabotage.”

BOC Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim said they had identified eight consignees of the smuggled rice: JJM Global Trading, Rm 212 Crown Building, North Reclamation Area, Cebu; JM-ARS Trading, 308 3/F, Crown Building, North Reclamation Area, Cebu; Neon Gateway Trading, Sta. Rosa, Poblacion, Alegria, Cebu; Custans Enterprises, 3H Gemini Building, M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu; Melma Enterprises, Rm 201, GK Chua Building, M.J. Cuenco Street, Cebu; NMW Enterprises, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City; Ocean Park Enterprises and MMSM Trading. He said the bureau would investigate these companies and check their past importation record.

“These rice smugglers seems to be ‘untouchables’ enjoying protection from corrupt government officials. Heads should roll and people should be jailed for virtually ‘murdering’ rice farmers and the rice industry,” Flores said.

“This clearly demonstrates what we are saying all along that the Aquino government’s policy of rice importation proliferates rice smuggling in the country. At the same time, state-backed rice cartels are masked with the so-called farmers as importers program and other NFA-issued licenses,” Flores said.

Flores also called on the Aquino government to distribute the smuggled rice seized in Cebu to victims of typhoon ‘Pablo’ in Mindanao and to the poorest of the poor “at no cost.”

“Instead of bidding out the smuggled rice we demand the Aquino government to distribute the confiscated rice to ‘Pablo’ survivors and to the poorest of the poor for free,” says Flores in anticipation of another auction of smuggled rice like what the BOC did in the 420,000 sacks of smuggled rice from India seized in Subic last year. 

“Putting the smuggled rice into auction will only fuel impunity. The rice smugglers will only laugh at government because the so-called auction will legitimize the illegal entry of the contraband rice. At the same time, releasing 30 thousand metric tons of smuggled rice in the local market will definitely have a tremendous impact on the prices of our locally produced rice,” the peasant leader said. #

Luisita farmers’ caravan reaches Manila, says land distribution “long overdue”

Farmers insists free land distribution, zero compensation to Cojuangcos

The more than 200 farmworkers who staged a long march and caravan from Hacienda Luisita to Manila arrived at the nation’s capital today insisting that the “free distribution” of the more than 6,000-hectare sugar estate owned by President Aquino’s family is “long overdue.”

The march dubbed as “Lakbayan para sa Libreng Pamamahagi ng Lupa sa Hacienda Luisita” led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura UMA, Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) and the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) will set up camp at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) today and will march to the Aquino family’s residence at Times Street tomorrow before going to Mendiola Bridge.

“The more than one year delay in the free distribution of Hacienda Luisita adds up to the almost six decades of the Cojuangco-Aquinos’ control over the lands. Hacienda Luisita’s distribution is long overdue,” says ULWU chairperson Lito Bais said.

“Every second of delay in Hacienda Luisita’s distribution prolongs the seemingly endless feudal exploitation against the farmworkers,” Bais added.

For his part, KMP deputy secretary general Willy Marbella maintained that “as long as Aquino controls the DAR and the sham Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program remains, the farm workers should be ready for another protracted battle to reclaim Hacienda Luisita from the Cojuangcos.”

He said the anticipated of distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) in June, the self-imposed deadline by the DAR, will only “signal the start of a new stage in the struggle of Hacienda Luisita farmers.”

“This could be longer than the legal battle in the Supreme Court that lasted for almost seven years. Aquino’s DAR will only distribute mere scrap of papers that will make the farm workers pay for the land they have long tilled,” says Marbella adding: “We also expect the Cojuangcos and the DAR to once again employ deception, intimidation, and violence against the farm workers.”

The KMP leader added that “the free distribution to farm workers and the zero compensation to the Cojuangcs are just and legitimate.”

“It is only just that the lands be distributed to farm workers at no cost. Aside from the fact that their agricultural produce will be for the needs of society, the farm workers have long paid for the lands with their sweat and blood. While the Cojuangco-Aquinos have enriched themselves for more than half a century now,” he said.

“At the same time, the Cojuangcos did not pay for the Central Bank-guaranteed loan for the acquisition of Hacienda Luisita in 1957 from Tabacalera. In fact, during Cory’s time, the Cojuangcos maneuvered to dismiss the civil case against them with the Central Bank and GSIS having no objection to the dismissal due to the assumption that the lands would be distributed to farm workers,” he said.

“Besides, the Cojuangcos still owe the farm workers a total of P1.33 billion for their illegal sale of the 200 hectares of land in 1996, the Luisita Industrial Park, and the 80.51-hectare lot for the anomalous Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) road network,” ,” says Marbella referring to the Supreme Court decision ordering Hacienda Luisita Inc. to pay the farm worker beneficiaries. #