Justice Veloso pushes through misinformation on his landgrabbing in Leyte

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines ) lambasted the recent misinformation drive by Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente Veloso on his landgrabbing of the 429-hectare lands at the tri-boundary of Alangalang and San Miguel towns, and Tacloban City in Leyte . The said area are part of the Marcos-declared Leyte Sab-a Basin, then administered by the defunct Leyte Sab-a Basin Dev't. Authority (LSBDA). LSBDA turned over the lands in 1991 to be subjected to land reform program but in 2002, Justice Veloso claimed that he owned the said lands.

"How can he say that the lands in question are not those occupied by his goons and the military, when we ourselves saw on our very eyes that his men are now cultivating the lands of victim Erlinda Bermudo at Bgy. Tabangohay, Alangalang, Leyte ," said Wilfredo Marbella, KMP Deputy Secretary-General in a press statement.

The Dept. of Agrarian Reform Region 8 (DAR 8) office recently corresponded that the lands claimed by the farmers under Sagupa-SB (KMP Eastern Visayas) are not those grabbed by Veloso and now being offered to be under Voluntary-Offer- to-Sell (VOS) of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with "Reforms" (CARPer).

"When we held a dialogue with DAR in Tacloban City last October 9, 2009, they could not immediately present any proof of Veloso's ownership, when it is the very basic issue. We were with Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño," said Marbella .

"Officials of DAR 8 promised to survey the lands but instead they became peddlers of Veloso's offer of VOS," he added.

"Officials of DAR 8 should not be afraid of Justice Veloso, instead should start doing their mandate and serve the peasants, they should not be the apologists of Veloso. We know that he is very influential and powerful, but the issue would escalate if they continue to side with Veloso and remain unresolved," Marbella said.

"The peasants from Eastern Visayas , including from Bgy. Tabangohay, joined the recent nationwide Lakbayan ng Anakpawis para sa Lupa at Katarungan, and they were able to share their issues to different sectors here in Manila, such as the youth-students, church people, workers, teachers, gov't employees and more. Support for them are now growing, thus, Justice Veloso should immediately return the lands he grabbed and pull-out his goons at the area," Marbella shared.

"Last January 14, peasants from Mindanao and Leyte rallied in front of DAR 8 office, officials invited KMP Secretary-General Danilo Ramos but simply excused themselves as they are in transition of changing officials, thus, no resolution was offered. The PNP was even called ready to disperse the Lakbayanis. Hence, they should not be surprised if peasants regularly rally at their office to call against Veloso's landgrabbing, " said Marbella .

"Also, in the recent plenary assembly of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), we have asked for support for the issue and they are now studying the case. We are also in coordination with other church bodies to fully support the peasant victims," Marbella added.

"Thus, we continue our resolute campaign against Justice Veloso's landgrabbing, our call for land and justice. We will not forget that his goons has killed a peasant activist at the area on September 2008," called Marbella. #