ANTIPOLO City, March 30, 2012—More violence are expected to happen in Hacienda Luisita if the family of President Benigno Cojuangco Aquino III will still refuse to distribute the 6,435-hectare sugar estate to the farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs).
This was the statement of the partylist Anakpawis, after seven farmworkers, including a minor, were arrested as the police and the military had served the order to vacate, issued by the Tarlac Municipal Court Branch 1, last March 26. They were just released yesterday, and warmly welcomed by their colleagues in the Hacienda.
Anakpawis Rep. Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano said, the attempt of the farmworkers to dismantle the perimeter fences on the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. land in Brgy. Balete, in Luisita, must not be viewed as a criminal act, rather an assertion of the FWBs of their rights to the land, pursuant to the November 22, 2011 decision of the Supreme Court.
“The continuing violence and disorder at Luisita emanates from the Cojuangco-Aquinos’ blatant refusal to respect and implement the November 22, 2011 Supreme Court (SC) decision that ordered the distribution of 6,435 has. of Luisita lands to farmers-beneficiaries. The President’s family is maintaining its control and stronghold over the disputed sugar lands through illegal and immoral means. At the same time, the President is playing dumb and nonchalant on the current situation at Hacienda Luisita,” said the veteran peasant leader, turned lawmaker.
“Restlessness will continue in Hacienda Luisita as long as the Cojuangco-Aquinos, aided by the government, refuse to abide the Supreme Court decision and recognize and respect the rightful ownership of farmers over the Luisita lands,” he added.
Mariano also said that the RCBC continued to harass the farmers-on-picket near the land, using their private guards, as well as the police and the military.
Meanwhile, Mariano challenges the SC to decide, with finality, on the issue of the Luisita as they are expected to convene in Baguio on April 12. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]
