Land and justice problem at Hacienda Yulo



In what militants perceive to be the most brutal land dispute incident after the May elections, 10 farmers from Hacienda Yulo have been illegaly arrested, handcuffed and are still detained while hundreds were injured after tensions broke yesterday at Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City. Fabricated charges were also filed to the peasants. The incident has now solicited condemnation from militant groups throughout the country.

ika-21 ng Mayo sa Hacienda Yulo

Noong ika-21 ng Mayo, 2010, sa pangunguna ng "sugo" ng mga may-ari ng lupa, marahas na binuwag

ng mga pulis at private security guard ang barikada ng mga magsasaka sa Hacienda Yulo, sa Lungsod ng Calamba.

Photos courtesy of KASAMA-TK/Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas



	ika-21 ng Mayo sa Hacienda Yulo STExposureRealReels \| July 16, 2010 Noong ika-21 ng Mayo, 2010, sa pangunguna ng "sugo" ng mga may-ari ng lupa, marahas na binuwag ng mga pulis at private security guard ang barikada ng mga magsasaka sa Hacienda Yulo, sa Lungsod ng Calamba.

x Farmer members of KASAMA-TK/KMP including women and children manning picket line arrested and mauled by police in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines UA No: 2010-05-01 UA Date : 21 May 2010 (Initial Data) UA Case : Illegal Arrest and Detention, Physical Assault and Injuries, Threat/Harassment/Intimidation, Violation of children’s right to protection or safety by the state or its agents, violation of children’s participation rights Victim/s : Illegal Arrest and Detention, Physical Assault and Injuries, Threat/Harassment/Intimidation *Lamberto Caraan, 38* *Gilbert Caraan, 24* *Mario Manggubat, 36* *Dorotea Manggubat, 47 (wife of Mario)* *Maria Garcia, 39* *Anabel Natanauan, 29* *Francisca Manggubat, 71 (mother of Mario)* Violation of children’s right to protection or safety by the state or its agents, Violation of children’s participation rights *Georgie Manggubat, 12* *Roger Nedia, 16* *Jeffrey de Leon, 14* *Dario Natanauan, 10* Place of Incident : Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City Date of Incident : May 21, 2010 at around 8:30 AM Alleged Perpetrator(s): Dan Calvo together with more than 50 members of a composite team of SWAT, PNP-Calamba and private guards of Laguna Estate Development Corp. and San Cristobal Realty Corp Account of the Incident: On April 7, 2010, farmer members of KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHANG MAGBUBUKID - TIMOG KATAGALUGAN/KILUSANG MAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS or KASAMA-TK/KMP (Federation of Peasant Organizations in Southern Tagalog/Philippine Peasant Movement) set up a protest-campout at the main entrance of the highly disputed Hacienda Yulo owned by the family of Jose Miguel Yulo in Sitio Buntog. It is a peaceful action against the attempts of the Yulo family to convert the more than 7,000 hectares of agricultural land into a high-end subdivision at the expense of the tillers’ thriving coconut plantation. At around 8:30 AM this morning, after more than a month of peaceful protest action, Dan Calvo, architect of the Yulo’s, escorted by around 50 members of a composite team of SWAT, local police forces and private guards stormed the picket line and tried to disperse the protesters. The farmers showed Dan Calvo the legal documents stating that the said land has a pending case at the Supreme Court but the latter tore it in front of them. The dispersal team assaulted the more or less 100 protesters and arrested some of them including women and children. Many were injured in the melee. Women and men alike were handcuffed and were brought to the police station. The men were thrown in jail and the women were detained in the police station. The minors were turned over to the Department of Social Work and Development. As of this writing, the men are still in jail and the women are prevented from leaving the police station. Recommended Action: Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for: The immediate investigation by the Commission on Human Rights of the abovementioned human rights violations; The immediate release of Lamberto Caraan, Gilbert Caraan, Mario Manggubat, Dorotea Manggubat, Maria Garcia, Anabel Natanauan, Francisca Manggubat, Georgie Manggubat, Roger Nedia, Jeffrey de Leon, Dario Natanauan; The PNP to stop from allowing themselves to be used in anti-people actions; The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of these instruments’ provisions. You may send your communications to: H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resident of the Republic Malacañang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel Manila Philippines Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80 Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968 Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462 E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph Sec. Annabelle T. Abaya Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) 7th Floor Agustin Building I Emerald Avenue Pasig City 1605 Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066 Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216 osec@opapp.gov.ph Sec. Norberto B. Gonzales Secretary, Department of National Defense Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488 Fax:+63(2) 911 6213 Email: osnd@philonline.com Atty. Alberto C. Agra Acting Secretary, Department of Justice Padre Faura St., Manila Direct Line 521-8344; 5213721 Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.214 Fax: (+632) 521-1614 Email: soj@doj.gov.ph Atty. Leila De Lima Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights SAAC Bldg., UP Complex Commonwealth Avenue Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Voice: (+632) 928-5655, 926-6188 Fax: (+632) 929 0102 Email: chr.delima@yahoo.com Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address below. URGENT ACTION Prepared by: KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) *National Office* 2/F Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin cor Matatag Sts., Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City 1100 PHILIPPINES Voice/Fax: (+632) 435 4146 Email: urgentaction@karapatan.org Website: www.karapatan.org











		KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHANG MAGBUBUKID SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN (KASAMA-TK) Press Release May 22, 2010 References: Guillermo Bautista (09083140541) Chairperson KASAMA-TK Erick Laurel Secretary General SAMANA-Buntig (091943174747) Militant groups condemn illegal detention, trumped-up charges to 10 Hacienda Yulo peasants In what militants perceive to be the most brutal land dispute incident after the May elections, 10 farmers from Hacienda Yulo have been illegaly arrested, handcuffed and are still detained while hundreds were injured after tensions broke yesterday at Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City. Fabricated charges were also filed to the peasants. The incident has now solicited condemnation from militant groups throughout the country. This after Dan Calvo, land surveyor and architect of Yulo owned Laguna Estate Development Corp. and San Cristobal Realty Corp., refused to honor the peasants' document on a pending petition for revocation of DAR Exemption Order. With him were 50 combined members of the SWAT, the local and regional PNP, and private security guards all with high-caliber rifles who violently pushed the residents blocking their path and illegaly arrested the peasants at their protest camp. Of the 10 peasants who remain behind bars at a local police station, 4 of them are women (including an old-aged) while 3 minors namely: Maria Garcia (39 yrs old); Dorotea Mangubat (46 yrs old); Annabel Natanauan (28 yrs old); Francisca Mangubat (71 yrs old); Mario Mangubat (36 yrs old); Gilbert Caraan (25 yrs old); Lamberto Caraan (40 yrs old); Roger Nedia, (16 yrs old); Jhefe De Leon, (15 yrs old); and Melvin Natanauan , (16 yrs old). Twelve-year old Jorge Mangubat was also illegaly detained but was released last night at around 8 pm. The peasants were also charged with direct assault, alarm and sacandal, serious resistance and disobedience and grave coercion. Eric Laurel, secretary general of Samahan ng mga Mamamayang Nagkakaisa sa Buntog (SAMANA-Buntog), demanded to the police to at least spare the 3 minors from the dispute. A prosecutor suggested to bring the 3 minors to "rehabilitation" but Laurel countered it could only lead to "brainwashing" these minors away from their legal struggle. He recounted the incident yesterday that the peasants were only peacefully manning their camp until these armed men came and told them that they had "no rights". "The surveyor even tore up the papers we showed him and started cursing when we tried to peacfully negotiate with him," Laurel added. Right after news of the peasants have been brought to the police station, around a 100 protesters staged an overnight vigil infront of the Municipal Hall and others staitioned in protest camp at Crossing, Calamba City gathering support from local residents. Laurel said that more protesters are expected to arrive today. The Hacienda Yulo, 7,100 hectares of land owned by the Jose Miguel Yulo clan, is to be converted into a subdivision and golf course instead of granting ownership to the farmers. Laurel said that the land ownership to the farmers should have been granted as early as the 1960's. The project was even more pursued when the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and its 5 year extension CARPer was enacted into law. He criticized the CARPer law saying the land dispute in Yulo is a proof that the law only favors landlords into keeping their lands. In a press conference, Guillermo Bautista, chairperson of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) condemned the apparent violence and fascism from the state forces on the peasants who were only upholding their legitimate right for genuine land reform. "The May 2010 elections are just drawing to a conclusion yet here we see the bleak reality in our society that farmers who lived all their lives tilling the land are still continuously persecuted." Bautista said. "As if causing injury and illegally detaining them were not enough, the police even filed fabricated cases. We have a hundred witnesses to prove otherwise," he stressed. He feared that if the presumed president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will not take seriously the demand of the peasants for genuine agrarian reform in addressing these land disputes; more cases of violence may occur. He noted peasant communities in Southern Tagalog where Hacienda Yulo, Hacienda Looc in Batangas and lands in Quezon province can be found. "We pose a challege to Noynoy Aquino, who is an apparent landlord of Hacienda Luisita, to set an example as leader of this nation to uplift the lives of the poor farmers. More farmers will surely express dismay and dissent to the new regime if no concrete changes happen," Bautista added. Today marks a year after the farmers' campout outside of the gates of the House of Representative were violently demolished and protesters dispersed by the PNP. The camp-out was to call the junking of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with ‘Reforms’ or CARPer and for the passage of House Bill 3059 or Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill filed by Anakpawis Partylist, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party. # ______________________________________ for more details contact Roge @ 09272421508 -- SERVE THE PEOPLE! Visit us www.bayanst.wordpress.com --------------------------------------------------- Ilegal na inaresto ng mahigit 50 na pinagsanib na armadong elemento ng security guards, PNP at SWAT team ang mga magsasakang nagsasagawa ng protest camp sa Hacienda Yulo, Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang. Calamba City. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, 10 magsasaka ang ilegal na nakadetina kasama ang 4 na kababaihan at 3 menor de edad sa lokal na pulisiya. Ani Guillermo Bautista, tagapangulo ng KASAMA-TK, malaking hamon ang usapin ng tunay na reporma sa lupa sa bagong rehimeng Aquino. "Ngayon pa lamang at katatapos ang eleksyon ay dahas at panunupil muli ang salubong ng estado sa mga magsasakang ipinaglalaban ang kanilang lehitimong karapatan," saad ni Bautista. Para sa karagdagang detalye komontak kina: Guillermo Bautista (09083140541) Chairperson KASAMA-TK Erick Laurel







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KATIPUNAN NG MGA SAMAHANG MAGBUBUKID - TIMOG KATAGALUGAN/KILUSANG MAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS KASAMA-TK/KMP Press Release May 21, 2010 Reference: Axel Pinpin Secretary General KASAMA-TK/KMP 09291359636 CALAMBA CITY - Hunderds of farmers were injured, several handcuffed while two are being held at the local police station after tensions broke at around 8:30am today in Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang over the disputed Hacienda Yulo land. The farmers were manning their protest-campout near the sitio's main road entrance when land surveyors led by Dan Calvo, an architect connected to the Yulo owned Laguna Estate Development Corp. and San Cristobal Realty Corp., arrived along with not less than 50 combined members of the SWAT, the local and regional PNP, and private security guards. Axel Pinpin, ex-political detainee and sec. gen. of the peasant group KASAMA-TK/KMP, who was at the scene said Calvo approached the farmers and told them to leave. "He was very hostile and was cursing the farmers. He refused to negotiate with us. The farmers presented legal documents but Calvo tore-up the papers. The farmers refused to leave and that's when the police and security guards started using force." Two of the farmers, Gilbert Caraan and Mario Manggubat were taken by the PNP to the local police station. Hundreds, including women and children were injured. Around 10 are still handcuffed as of presstime including 2 staff members of KASAMA-TK. According to Pinpin, the local farmers have put-up the protest-campout last April 7 to stop any attempts by the Yulos to enforce the conversion of the more than 7,000 hectare hacienda land into a high-end subdivision. He said the farmers have a pending appeal in court against the land conversion. According to Eric Laurel, leader of the local peasant organization Samahan ng mga Mamamayan ng Buntog, their land, despite being productive, has been approved for land conversion under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). "We have a productive coconut plantation here. Our livelihood will be lost and our lives will be at stake if the conversion pushes through," Laurel said. Sitio Buntog is home to about 400 families and makes up around 5-7% of the Hacienda Yulo. Pinpin meanwhile slammed the existing argrarian reform laws saying the dispute over Hacienda Yulo is among the many examples of the true pro-landlord nature of CARP and CARPer (CARP with extension and reforms). "Land reform is a key issue that we think will only end-up in the trash bins of the incoming administration. Sen. Noynoy, a member of the Aquino-Cojunaco landlord clan, and others in the Liberal Party, including Akbayan representative and senatorial bet Risa Hontiveros is among the promoters and architects of the CARPer law, how can we expect anything pro-farmer from them? But Noynoy can prove us wrong if on his first day in Malacañang he will make history by distributing lands to the farmers including their own Hacienda Luisita," Pinpin said. As of press time, the farmers are massing-up at the campout to continue their protest.







			EXCERPTS: LAND REFORM AND NATIONAL DEMOCRACY (Speech by Jose Maria Sison delivered in Pilipino before the first Central Luzon Regional Conference of Kabataang Makabayan, at Republic Central Colleges, Angeles City, on October 31, 1965; and in English at the College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines, Los Ba¤os, Laguna on March 23, 1966.) Andres Bonifacio, the city worker feeling spontaneously the fraternal links between his nascent class and the long- standing class of the peasantry, expressed in fiery revolutionary language the peasant protest against feudalism in his poem Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas: Ang lupa at bahay na tinatahanan, Bukid at tubigang kalawak-lawakan, Sa paring kastila'y binubuwisan... Ikaw nga, Inang pabaya't sukaban Kami'y di na iyo saan man humanggan. Ihanda mo, Ina, ang paglilibingan Sa mawawakwak na maraming bangkay. Bonifacio's call for revolt against feudal exploitation had been prepared by a long series of peasant struggles covering hundreds of years before him. Only after having waged a long series of sporadic and uncoordinated rebellions did the Filipino peasant realize that it took a well-organized and a conscious nation of peasants working as a single massive force to successfully attack feudal power and achieve the formation of a nation-state. Note clearly in the revolutionary poem of Bonifacio that the denunciation of feudal exploitation goes with his call for armed struggle against the colonial power. Apolinario Mabini, in his Ordenanzas de la Revolucion, a collection of directives for the successful conduct of the revolution, expressed in clear terms the abolition of feudalism as a national objective: Rule 21. All usurpations of properties made by the Spanish government and the religious corporations will not be recognized by the revolution, this being a movement representing the aspirations of the Filipino people, true owners of the above properties. The Philippine revolution of 1896 could have been the instrument of the peasant masses for redeeming the lands taken away from them by their feudal exploiters through more than 300 years of colonial rule.






BONUS TRACKS Photos courtesy of Rolando Tolentino








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