Drilon should open both eyes on land conversions, peasants urged

LP anti-Villar campaign kicks off
Drilon should open both eyes on land conversions, peasants urged

The left-wing Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) urged former Senator Franklin Drilon to open both eyes on issues of land conversion and not just see those involving Nacionalista Party presidential bet Manny Villar. The group also said that a small group of farmers connected with Akbayan are drumming up the issue of land fraud in Tungkong Mangga against Villar.

Drilon has reported that Villar’s real estate company, Crown Communities has developed Savannah Subdivision over 12.7 has. of irrigated farmlands of the total 200 has. being converted into non-agricultural purposes in Iloilo City. In addition, Drilon accused Villar of using his pork barrel to improve the provincial road leading to the said subdivision.

“Sen. Drilon looks concerned about the farmers in issuing statements on land use conversions, but we really know that it is for the benefit his presidential candidate Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino,” said Danilo Ramos, KMP Secretary-General in a press statement.

KMP said that it is very amazing that Sen. Drilon could look into Iloilo City about land use conversions (LUCs) when Hacienda Luisita is a mother-load of LUCs itself.

“Iloilo City is 2,718 km. from Manila while Tarlac City is just 120 kms., Sen. Drilon seems to be far-sighted,” said Ramos.

The peasant group said that in 1995, the Sangguniang Bayan of Tarlac City passed a resolution that reclassified 3,290 has. of 4,915 has. of sugarlands of Hacienda Luisita during the administration of Gov. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, the wife of Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, aunt and uncle of Ninoy Cojuangco-Aquino, respectively.

“This is 10 to 15 times bigger than what Drilon is whining about Villar, so why can’t he comment on it? Or is he simply looking for dirt to be thrown to Villar?” asked Ramos.

The group said that Drilon’s legal expertise should not be applied on the legality of LUCs as he has a significant role in paving the way of LUCs in the country. Drilon, then Secretary of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) issued DOJ Opinion No. 44 in 1995 allowing the massive conversion of agriculturally productive Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas into golf courses, resorts and tourist establishments developed by Fil-Estate and Manila Southcoast Dev’t Corp. owned by SM-tycoon Henry Sy.

In addition, KMP said that it is “glad” that the land issue in Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan is being put to light. A small group of farmers connected to Akbayan is desperately pulling Villar’s name to land fraud.

“We can say that we are glad because the land issue in Tungkong Mangga is being drummed up. The real issue is that the lands are being grabbed by the Araneta Properties, Inc., now managed by Greggy Araneta. They are cashing in the lands to be the site of the inter-modal station of MRT 7,” said Ramos.

“For the public to know, the Aranetas who landgrabbed in Tungkong Mangga are relatives of Liberal Party Vice-presidential bet Mar Roxas whose grandfather is the founder of Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, J. Amado Araneta. They are trying to do the same in Tungkong Mangga, on more than 200 has. of agriculturally productive, an MRT station combined with malls, condominiums and bus terminals, just like Araneta Center,” said Ramos.

“The issue of Araneta landgrabbing and displacement of farmers are bigger than the land fraud being thrown to Villar. The Aranetas are evicting farmers in Sitio Dalandanan, now deployed with security guards with high-powered rifles and soldiers from the Phil. Army. Actually, our leaders from Tungkong Mangga Upland Farmers Association, Inc., (TMUFAI), SASAMAG and SAMAGDA personally know those who are accusing Villar of land fraud and in talking terms,” said Ramos.

“Our leaders reported that they may just be forced to do it, as Noynoy Aquino is so desperate to ruin Villar’s growing popularity. We call on our fellow farmers not to allow yourselves to be used by the haciendero-duo of Noynoy Cojuancgo-Aquino and Mar Araneta-Roxas, they have undisputed records of exploiting and oppressing farmers,” Ramos added.

The group believed that there is an on-going project to destroy Villar as they have been consulted by researchers regarding his real estate transactions. KMP said that on Villar’s owned lands in Tungkong Mangga, though with barbed wires, farmers are presently allowed to cultivate their crops, unlike on the positions of the Aranetas where houses of farmers are being demolished. #