MANILA — The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two farmers and the wounding of 6 others in Hacienda Velez-Malaga, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental. Killed were Alejandro Garcesa, 70 and Ely Tupas, 52, both holders of certificates of land ownership award. While wounded were Jude Capitania, 32; Jobert Nalayas, 25; Rene Floreinda, 27; Alan Hagcoy, 26; Norberto Diamante, 47, and Andre Barcoma. They were shot by blue guards of the landlord Roberto Cuenca.
According to Danilo Ka Daning Ramos, secretary general of KMP, this most recent attack on farmers just wanting to own the land they till is a glaring testament to the inutility of the fake Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) even if it has been implemented for 19 years. In fact, the lands supposedly given to farmers under the CARP is still not secured because the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) normally cancels them to serve the interest of landlords,
The emancipation patents (EPs), certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) and the certificates of land transfer (CLT) are reduced into mere coupons exchangeable for token disturbance compensation, when the farmers are once again being evicted of their land. This is what is happening now in Hacienda Velez-Malaga, and it has happened before but in different guises like that in Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas and Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, said Ramos.
This latest atrocity against peasants shows the barefaced fascism of the landlord class and the Macapagal-Arroyo regime, which is also helping Cuenca to get the land from the farmers, added the peasant leader.
Our assessment of the CARP is clear and resounding. It should be scrapped immediately because it did not address the basic problem of peasants which is landlessness and has in fact made it worse. No to CARP extension! Enough of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime! Fight for genuine land reform! ended Ramos. # # #
IMPORTANT NOTICE: INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to Davao Today for publication. Please email your materials to davaotoday @ gmail.com. Davao Today is not responsible for the content of these materials. The opinion expessed in these items does not reflect those of Davao Today and its staff. Please refer to our terms of use/disclaimer.
