Central Mindanao University guards shoot at protesters,3 farmers sustain gunshot wounds



The issue is clear enough. Members of the BTL had set up the kampuhan on May 23 to protest the CMU’s claim over the 400 hectares of land which more than 800 families have been tilling for years. In 1987, the farmers had originally applied for 1,200 hectares of the land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. They were given a Certificate of Land Ownership Award for 400 hectares in 1992. However, the CLOA was canceled and in 2002-2007, they had no choice but to go into a 5-year lease contract. The contract stated that they would not be driven out of their lands.		However, when the lease expired, CMU insisted they relocate to San Fernando, a hinterland municipality at the borders of Bukidnon and Davao del Sur, and Talakag, another border municipality between Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. The farmers protested, arguing that the land which they have developed for more than a decade was rightfully theirs. The BTL and the BTL Women’s Association continue to condemn the CARPer and push for the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill.

Photos courtesy of AMIHAN- Northern Mindano Region



Amihan Northern Mindanao Region MINVIZCON Blg., IFI Compound Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City Email: amihan.nmr@gmail.com Tel.no: (088) 850-5854 For Immediate Release: Urgent Update June 14, 2011 On June 14 at around 10:30 in the morning, the kampuhan set up by the Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (BTL) in front of the Central Mindanao University in Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, was dismantled by the security guards hired by the university, assaulting protesters keeping guard over their camp. Around 15 guards, from the security agency Chevron, were headed by Nestor Honasan and mercilessly fired at the farmers and beat up those near them. The BTL Women's Association joined the men in trying to defend their group. Still, Billy Jardin, Gregorio Santillan and Larry de Vera all sustained gunshot wounds and had to be rushed to the nearest hospital. Currently, they are still waiting for surgery as the bullets have been embedded in their legs. On the other hand, Weni Loable's eye was struck by a stone fragment, with rock shards flying from the bullets that hit the ground. He is waiting to be checked and is in danger of losing his eyesight. No one from the authorities have helped the farmers who are until now waiting to be attended by medical aides because they could not afford the rates - even for x-ray alone. Members of the BTL had set up the kampuhan on May 23 to protest the CMU’s claim over the 400 hectares of land which more than 800 families have been tilling for years. In 1987, the farmers had originally applied for 1,200 hectares of the land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. They were given a Certificate of Land Ownership Award for 400 hectares in 1992. However, the CLOA was canceled and in 2002-2007, they had no choice but to go into a 5-year lease contract. The contract stated that they would not be driven out of their lands. However, when the lease expired, CMU insisted they relocate to San Fernando, a hinterland municipality at the borders of Bukidnon and Davao del Sur, and Talakag, another border municipality between Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. The farmers protested, arguing that the land which they have developed for more than a decade was rightfully theirs. The BTL and the BTL Women’s Association continue to condemn the CARPer and push for the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. For reference: April Argen Pat B. Marzon Staff, Amihan NMR 09052472573 / 09996221291



Defend Agrarian Rights, Uphold Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms! AMIHAN Northern Mindanao 14 June 2011 The administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III seriously puts into doubt the respect for human rights of the farmers in the country. Aquino III is heir to the vast Hacienda Luisita Incorporated landholdings where, in 2004, 14 farmer leaders were massacred in front of its gates for protesting a bogus land distribution scheme that virtually dodges coverage from former President Corazon Aquino’s agrarian reform program. The now infamous Hacienda Luisita Massacre continues to hound the Aquino presidency. The neglect of the plights of the farmers is becoming a central human rights issue under the present administration, further illustrated by this new brutal incident in Central Mindanao. We, the members of AMIHAN Northern Mindanao, a coalition of 43 community-based organizations of peasant women in the Region, deeply revile the acts of violence committed by the Security Guards under Chevron Security Agency against the peaceful protest of the Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (Bukidnon Free Farmers and Agricultural Laborers Association – Triad Agricultural Manpower of Rural Active Workers –Landless Tillers Inhabitants of Musuan) on June 14, 2011. We condemn the indiscriminate firing of the guards on the protesters, consequently wounding six farmers – Winnie Loable, Jose Benimerito, Marilou Portin, Abelardo Jardin, Larry de Vera and Gregorio Santillan.The guards also tore down the kampuhan (protest camps), took away the cooking utensils and other essentials, and destroyed the group’s loudspeaker to stop them from continuing their protest. We salute BTL Women’s Association member Marilou Portin, and all the other BTL members in kampuhan, for courageously fighting for their rights despite the threats posed on them by the Central Mindanao University and its hired goons. Their plight has been long, more than a decade, and yet they continue to stand by their principles and hope for the realization of their demands. We call on the Local Government Unit of Bukidnon to act for the immediate arrest of guards and the authorities responsible for the incident, and to assist in the treatment of the wounded farmers. Moreover, we challenge them to support the call of the farmers for a genuine agrarian reform that would not just dangle their land ownership in front of them and take it away when it is already within their reach. We call for the Central Mindanao University president, Maria Luisa Soliven, be made accountable for the incident this early, and call for her suspension to prevent her from interfering with the necessary investigations. We call for the cancellation of Chevron Security Agency’s permit to operate. They are not protectors of anything but brutal hired goons who, like rabid guard dogs, would bite and kill at the beck and call of their master. We call on the human rights workers and advocates, and the international community to reverberate the condemnation against the extent of the culture of impunity in Bukidnon – a reflection of what is happening in many parts of the Philippines – and extend assistance for the medication and other needs of the victims and the protestors now in crises because hunger and diseases. Most importantly, we call on the Government of the Philippines to review the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). Despite the few boasted successes of the program, most of the Bukidnon farmers do not support CARPER because they are its victims.			KILUSANG MAGBUBUKID NG PILIPINAS AMIHANANG MINDANAO MINVIZCON Blg. IFI Compound Bulua, Cagyan de Oro City Email: kmp_nmr@yahoo.com Tel. No: (088) 850-5854 Press Release June 14, 2011 BTL Farmers: CMU guards assail, indiscriminate firing June 14,2011. Dulugan, Maramag, Province of Bukidnon. At 10:30 am, in an attept to demolish the three-week camp-out protest, the members of Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus as were assaulted by members of CHEVRON Securtiy – the Security agency commissioned by Central Mindanao University. Fifteen guards headed by George Gewan Jr breached the picket lines. The violence left six farmers wounded, three of them directly hit by bullets. Gregorio Santillan, Abelardo Jardin andLarry de Vera were shot by bullets and are currently in the hospital treating their wounds. Winnie Loable, Jose Bemininto and Marilou Portin were scratched by bullets as it ricocheted pass them. A piece of bullet was found in the chest of Marilou. The guards were not contented with shooting their firearms and tearing the tents apart, items possesed by the farmers – a cooking pot, three amplifiers, umbrella, wires, light bulbs, water container and four sleeping mats were also forcibly confiscated. As of 8 pm, the CMU adminstration remains silent regarding the incident, an indication that they refuse to take responsility for the plight of the wounded peasants. The incident solidifies the struggle of the BTL farmers. Now more than ever, the harassment must end. They call on for justice and oust of CMU president, Dr. Ma. Luisa Soliven. For reference: Richard Colao Secretary-General KMP-NMR +639153347924





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