“The extrajudicial killing of Quijano by suspected state security forces clearly shows that the culture of impunity prevails under the Aquino administration,” says KMP spokesperson Antonio Flores in a statement. He added that Quijano’s relatives and colleagues believe his death was “due to his active opposition to large-scale mining and illegal logging in Zamboanga Del Sur.”
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
MANILA, Philippines — Peasant leaders who joined the Manilakbayan (A Journey to Manila) condemned the killing of another farmer in Zamboanga del Sur saying the incident is proof of continuing human rights violations in Mindanao.
Rolando Quijano, an active member of the Alliance of Farmers Union in Zamboanga del Sur, an affiliate of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) was shot to death at 12 noon Friday, December 7, in Purok 4, Ocapan village, San Miguel town in Zamboanga del Sur.
Quijano was allegedly killed by members of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion.
“Samtang padayon ang kampanya sa mga mag-uuma alang sa tinuod nga repormang agraryo padayon usab ang pagpamatay tungod kay depensahan man sa panggamhanan ang interes sa pipila lamang nga buot mosakop sa kayutaan sa Mindanao (While the campaign for the genuine agrarian reform continues, the killings will not stop because the government will defend the interests of the few who continue to occupy the people’s land in Mindanao ),” Rogelio Montero, provincial chair of Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur, told davaotoday.com.
“The extrajudicial killing of Quijano by suspected state security forces clearly shows that the culture of impunity prevails under the Aquino administration,” says KMP spokesperson Antonio Flores in a statement. He added that Quijano’s relatives and colleagues believe his death was “due to his active opposition to large-scale mining and illegal logging in Zamboanga Del Sur.”
“Nagtuo kami nga gipatay si Quijano tungod sa iyang baruganan (We believe that Quijano was murdered because of his stand),” said Aida Seisa, secretary-general of KMP in Southern Mindanao region.
Her belief was shared by KMP leaders Jaime Jamil, the provincial chair of the Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Norte and Virgilio Licuna, secretary-general of Unyon sa mga Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte.
All of them said, leaders like Quijano are usually branded as enemies of the state when serving the interest of small farmers and peasants, including the indigenous peoples. The peasant organization assailed the Aquino administration’s counter-insurgency operation plan “Bayanihan” for the killing of Quijano.
“The climate of impunity remains and it’s a blood-stained Human Rights Day for the Aquino administration. Aquino’s human rights record is tainted by the blood of the Filipino peasantry,” Flores further stated in the statement.
The KMP holds Aquino, being the commander-in-chief of the AFP, responsible for the death of Quijano and added that “Oplan Bayanihan enjoys the blessings of the Haciendero President “because it conceals the escalating terror and human rights abuses perpetrated by the military against farmers with the very same anti-peasant peace and development projects by the government.” (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
