Yearly Archives: 2008

Remembering Celso Pojas


Slain peasant leader Celso Pojas is revered by poor folk.

By GRACE S. UDDIN | Davao Today

On that early morning of May 15 this year, Celso Pojas, 45, was sipping a cup of coffee inside the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (KMP) office in Bugac, Maa when he got up, told a colleague he had to buy few cigarette sticks and went outside. Nobody had an inkling it was to be their last time to talk to him. As the secretary- general of Farmers's Association of Davao City (FADC), Pojas was preparing to go to Compostela town as part of the support groups to attend to hundreds of Lumads, who were fleeing their homes in Monkayo and Compostela because of military operations there.

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The long wait

As rice prices in Mindanao start to soar this week, consumer lines in NFA outlets are getting longer. In Bankerohan public market, the wait can start as early as one in the morning just to be included in the first 500 persons allowed to buy NFA rice in the store for the day. The first 375 consumers can buy maximum of two kilos each of Vietnam variety which costs 18.25 pesos per kilo and Thailand variety of NFA rice which cost 25 pesos per kilo. The remaining 125 consumers is left to buy a maximum of two kilos of the Vietnam rice variety, which consumers consider not as good as Thailand rice. Although consumers wait for long hours, the distribution ends as early as 9 A.M.. Those who cannot avail will have to go back the next day. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

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‘Exodus’ calls for end to militarization in countryside

Concerned organizations and individuals form an alliance called Exodus for Justice and Peace to call for a stop of the militarization in the countryside and for the return of hundreds of Lumads displaced from their communities. The alliance also seeks justice for the death of tribal chieftain Dominador Diarog, peasant leader Celso Pojas and other victims of human rights violations. Photo shows Exodus's members signing a statement of unity calling attention to the daily needs of victims, including health and medical services, psychosocial therapy sessions for women and children, legal services, moral support, among others. (davaotoday.com photo by Jonald Mahinay)

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