At Hacienda Luisita: Group condemns violent dispersal of camp-out and arrest of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers Posted: March 28, 2012

Brgy. Balete campout of HLI farmworkers dispersed

ANTIPOLO City, March 27, 2012—The campout of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers near the RCBC land in Brgy. Balete was violently dispersed by the joint forces of the police, the army, and private security group hired by the Yuchengo-owned bank.

“The local organization in Luisita, the Ambala [Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita] reported that members of the Tarlac provincial police, backed by Nueva Ecija provincial police and the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) had already served the order to vacate, issued by the Tarlac City Municipal Trial Court (MTC) Branch I under Judge Marvin Mangino against the farmworkers who occupied the agricultural land in Brgy. Balete inside the hacienda,” said Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) chair Joseph Canlas in message to CBCPNews.

He also said that around seven protesting farmworkers were arrested, including a minor.

“Manuel Mandigma, Meric Trinidad, who’s a minor, Alfred Martinez and barangay Balete councilors Winky Esteban and Jay Martinez and two who are yet to be identified, were taken by the police,” he said.

Canlas, meanwhile, had stood firm on the belief that the Tarlac Municipal Trial Court should have not issued a notice to vacate since there is a case pending at the Supreme Court regarding the land dispute inside Hacienda Luisita.

“The Tarlac MTC should inhibit on the forcible entry case filed by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) as the whole issue of Hacienda Luisita is pending at the Supreme Court and the decision of Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the farmworkers’ petition for revocation of the conversion order is awaiting [resolution],” Canlas said.

He also said that the case filed before the Tarlac-MTC is just a plain “criminalization of an agrarian case”. The RCBC had filed another robbery case against Ambala leaders, referring to their opposition of the construction of fences on February 20, 2012.

Manwhile, Canlas had accused Judge Marvin Mangino of the Tarlac-MTC Br. 1 as “anti-farmer” and he should be more cautious in issuing decisions that, in the end, he would be sorry for.

“We warn Judge Mangino to immediately stop conniving with the Cojuangco-Aquinos as he is making a name for himself as the notorious anti-farmer judge of Tarlac City. He issued many decisions against Tarlac city farmers whose lands are being grabbed by landlords and speculators. We demand the immediate release of those arrested,” the peasant leader said. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]



Manuel Mandigma, Brgy.Kgwd. Winky Esteban, Jay Martinez, Robert Mendoza and Dionisio Mandigma are presently detained at the Tarlac City Police Station on charges of malicious mischief. (Photo by SENTRA)
Sino ang Kriminal? ni Pia Montalban Mananalakay sa madaling araw Pinosasan mga sikmura naming gutom Ng lamig ng hamog, Grave Coercion nilang tinawag Pagbaklas sa mga alambreng Bumakod sa aming kinabukasan Mananakop sa katanghaliang tapat Hinimas, hinilot, araw-gabing dinilig	Ng dugo, Robbery nilang tinawag Pagbawi namin ng kalayaan at karapatang Makatarungan mapasaamin Gumigilit ng buhay sa magdamag Tinagpas at kinatay namin Ang takot, Malicious Mischief nilang tinawag Nang di kami matinag-tinag Sa lupang nagluwal ng aming paninindigan	Manggagahasa sa dilim ng gabi Ginapang namin ang salimuot Ng mga konstelasyon sa langit, Trespassing nilang tinawag Nang lukuban ng sigasig at sipag Pinili naming magbungkal, Kaysa magnakaw Ng bait, kabataan at kinabukasan Mga krimeng dahilan Ng aming pagkakriminal.

Photos courtesy of AMGL (Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang luson) and Hacienda Luisita Campaign Facebbok Album







Bakit sila ang nakakulong? Mga magsasaka ng Hacienda Luisita, lupang sinabi ng Supreme Court na dapat ipamahagi na sa mga magsasaka apat na buwan na ang nakaraan. Ang kaso sa mga magsasaka: malicious mischief, kahit ang gusto lang naman nila ay puntahan yung lupa at bungkalin para sa ikabubuhay ng pamilya Ang kaso sa asenderong pasimuno ng Hacienda Luisita Massacre ng 2006: Wala Bakit pala ganyan? Basahin ang LRP, sabi ng isa sa paborito kong public speakers, sa entablado/tulay ng Mendiola.

x PRESS RELEASE March 27, 2012 References: Joseph Canlas, Chairperson, AMGL (0918-2335050) Group condemns violent dispersal of camp-out and arrest of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers Farmers belonging to the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), regional organization of Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) condemned to the highest degree the latest attack on the farmworkers who are fighting for their rights to land in Hacienda Luisita. Ambala reported that Tarlac provincial police, backed up by Nueva Ecija provincial police and military under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) served the order to vacate issued by the Tarlac City Municipal Trial Court (MTC) Branch I under Judge Marvin Mangino against the farmworkers who occupied the agricultural land in Brgy. Balete inside the hacienda. The government forces arrested 7 Ambala members and supporters namely, Manuel Mandigma, Meric Trinidad (a minor), Alfred Martinez and barangay Balete councilors Winky Esteban and Jay Martinez and two who are yet to be identified. “We condemn this latest attack against Hacienda Luisita farmworkers. The Cojuangco-Aquinos are the mastermind of this brutality as they see the camp-out in Brgy. Balete is the symbol of the farmworkers’ unity to struggle for their rights to land,” said Joseph Canlas, Amgl chairperson. Ambala reported that those arrested were brought to the Tarlac City Police headquarters and they were put inside detention cells. The group said that the camp-out in Brgy. Balete was demolished by the police and military. “We vow that president Aquino would bear the farmers’ wrath as he is the primary protector of his family’s interests on the hacienda. This is unacceptable to the region’s peasantry and the Cojuangco-Aquinos should pay for their transgression,” Canlas said. Amgl asserted that Tarlac MTC should inhibit on the forcible entry case filed by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) as the whole issue of Hacienda Luisita is pending at the Supreme Court and the decision of Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the farmworkers’ petition for revocation of the conversion order is awaiting. Amgl believed that it is a criminalization of agrarian case and harassment against the farmworkers. RCBC filed another robbery case against Ambala leaders, referring to their opposition of the construction of fences on February 20, 2012. “We warn Judge Mangino to immediately stop conniving with the Cojuangco-Aquinos as he is making a name for himself as the notorious anti-farmer judge of Tarlac City. He issued many decisions against Tarlac city farmers whose lands are being grabbed by landlords and speculators,” Canlas said. “As we could not rely any justice from these government institutions, we call on different sectors to support the farmworkers’ struggle in Hacienda Luisita. All sectors have been victims of the Aquino government such as farmers, workers, urban poor, youth-students and more. If the presidential family could do such coercion at their very own backyard, worse is to happen to others in different parts of the region and country,” Canlas called. #





Farmers raring to work their farms the law says they own but are blocked by fully-armed private and secutiry forces

			x PRESS RELEASE March 27, 2012 References: Joseph Canlas, Chairperson, AMGL (0918-2335050) Felix Nacpil Jr., Chairperson, AMBALA (0920-5143792) Hacienda Luisita farmworkers denounce rights abuses by police, military Farmers belonging to the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon) and its chapter Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) denounced the gross rights abuses by police and military against Hacienda Luisita farmworkers. At about 3pm, a composite force of 300 Tarlac City and provincial police in full battle gear, 6 elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines - Northen Luzon Command (AFP – Nolcom) dispersed farmworkers from their camp-out in Brgy. Balete inside the hacienda. “First of all, the PNP claimed it is serving the order to vacate issued by Tarlac City Municipal Trial Court Branch 1 judge Marvin Mangino in dispersing the farmworkers, but actually there were no sheriff from the court to serve the order,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson. Ambala reported that they saw the police’s action as illegal, thus, its members defended their camp-out and in the process, at least 7 were arrested, among them were 2 minors, 2 barangay officials and Ambala leaders. The group said that the elements of the police were in full battle gear, armed with long firearms, which they said is a clear violation of their own rules of engagement. “The very procedure the police carried out is illegal, they are armed and no sheriff was around to serve the order. They used excessive force, held and treated farmworkers as common criminals,” Canlas said. Ambala said that arrested Ambala leader, Jay Martinez was assaulted by about 20 elements of the police and Manuel Mandigma, minors Meric Trinidad and Alfred Martinez, barangay councilor Winky Esteban and 2 others were handcuffed from behind and treated as common criminals. They were brought to Tarlac provincial headquarters in Brgy. Macabulos, Tarlac City, then to Tarlac City headquarters. They were put inside detention cells. In addition, Ambala reported that Florida Sibayan was hurt when 4 police officers dragged her on the ground and that police have illegally searched the camp-out claiming they are searching for explosives. The arrested minor said to responding lawyers and supporters that there more arrested. The camp-out remained standing but about 150 elements of the police are on standby in Brgy. Balete. “When the police were asked what charges would filed against those arrested, they could not invoke any but repeatedly saying they were ‘warrantless arrests.’ It is very dangerous that these ill-advised elements of the police could carry firearms and know nothing about the law,” Canlas said. “We strongly demand the immediate release of the farmworkers and supporters. Appealing to government institutions such as the DAR, DOJ, all under president Aquino is becoming tiring and senseless, thus, we call on the people to support the Hacienda Luisita farmworkers and struggle for fundamental reforms, denounce Aquino for this gross violations of people’s basic rights,” Canlas called. #



Latest update mula sa Hacienda Luisita Campaign ---------------------- Hacienda Luisita update: (8:22pm, March 27) 1. Nakakulong pa rin sina Manuel Mandigma, Brgy. Kgwd. Winky Esteban, Jay Martinez, Robert Mendoza, Dionisio Mandigma sa Tarlac City Police Station. Sila ay kinasuhan ng malicious mischief. 2. Sina Meric Trinidad, 16 yo at Alfred Martinez, 17 yo ay kasama sa dinampot at ikinulong ng PNP Tarlac City, kaninang 4pm ay pinakawalan. 3. Si Flor Sibayan, lider-kababaihan ay pwersahang pinaghihila kanina ng 2 PNP, sa kasalukuyan, nakakaramdam ng sakit sa kanang bahagi ng dibdib. 4. Si Becky Canlas ay tinutukan ng M16 ng 2 PNP. 6. Batay sa ulat ng mga magsasaka, 150 ang pulis, 6 na sundalong naka-sibilyan, di mabilang na sniper na nakatago sa mga puno. 7. Sabi kanina ng PNP, pull out na sila sa Brgy. Balete pero ayon sa mga magsasaka, sila ay kasalukuyang nakapwesto sa brgy.hall ng nasabing barangay 8. Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga magsasaka sa ilalim ng Ambala ay naghahanda sa anumang banta na naman ng PNP, AFP. SUPORTAHAN NATIN ANG LABAN NG MGA MAGSASAKA SA HACIENDA LUISITA! KONDENAHIN ANG PASISTANG ATAKE NG PAMILYANG COJUANGCO-AQUINO SA MGA MAGSASAKA! LUPA SA HACIENDA LUISITA, IPAMAHAGI! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hacienda Luisita Peasant Supporters Network [Call for continued support and action] by Pia Montalban on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 3:59pm · Dear Friends of Hacienda Luisita Farmers, The last few weeks and months, starting from continued attempts of RCBC to fence the 500 hectares of land in early January of 2012, that cause erupting angers from farmworker beneficiaries, series of non-stop and even escalating and varied forms of harrasment ranging from criminal to civil cases in the municipal and regional trial courts of Tarlac to deployment of more guards, cafgu, paramilitary, military and police forces who safeguards the interests of the combined Cojuangco-Aquino-RCBC command, skirmish between the guards, its hired laborers (to fence the land) and the farmworker beneficiaries who were incessant of their legal and historical rights that led to firing of 8 gun bullets by security guards and minions of RCBC, against the farmworker beneficiaries, and the latest was last weekend and still continuing harrasment to evict the camp of the farmers in the said parcel of land resulting to violence instigated by police forces to the farmworkers, including m16 pointing, beating and basting, resulting to bruises and trauma among others.			7 of them were jailed yesterday, including 2 brgy. kagawads, 2 minors, and 3 farmworker beneficiaries. All were charged with Malicious Mischief while their only crime was tilling the idle land for their hungry stomachs. Early on we must put in mind that the parcel of land now being claimed by RCBC, was left idle for 15 years, a clear violation of the Conversion Order, and a clear manifestation that the Conversion was nothing but a scheme to take away the land from being distributed physically, robbing the farmworkers, time and again of their just rights as true owners of the land. Clearly, Cojuangco-Aquino had been tightening their grip on the land. Deaf and mute of the farmworkers 50 long years of struggle to claim their just, moral, and historical right as owners of the vast Hacienda Luisita. That same ardently long and arduous struggle formed the farmers to be firm and resolute. Unmindful of hardships piling up in front of them, focused on their battle calls, they will not ever give up in their noble fight for land and justice. One massacre had not stopped them. Series of extra-judicial killings had not stopped them. Obviously invented cases and even jail time will not stop them also. Yet, these seemingly non-stop railroading of basic human rights, and massacre of social justice had been taking a toll on the farmworkers, on their families, and on the entire predicament of land reform in this country, whose majority of populace are peasants. More than ever our support must move quicker, and more stronger. Let us not fail our farmer friends in their longest running night, whose dawn of victory may seem at hand one moment but vultures are out to snatch the day. In groups, and in partnerships, let us come together, organize various events, forum, workshops, concerts, arts and literature, skate, rap, eucharistic celebrations, and whatever, all in the name of spreading the true story of the Hacienda Luisita Farmers. For coordination, please contact the Hacienda Luisita Peasant Supporters Network Secretariat at 09276445680. Let's us continue to support the farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita! Their battle for land and justice spells food security and a more humane society for our country and our children too. Land and Justice for the farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita! Distribute Land immediately, without condition, NOW! Justice to the victims of Hacienda Luisita Massacre! Stop criminalization of naturally land reform issues!

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x Tension builds up in Hacienda Luisita; 7 arrested Bulatlat PUBLISHED ON MARCH 27, 2012 http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/03/27/tension-builds-up-in-hacienda-luisita-7-arrested “The Cojuangco-Aquino clan is the mastermind of this brutality as they see the camp-out at barangay Balete as symbol of the farmworkers’ unity in struggling for their rights to the land.” – AMGL By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA –For three consecutive days, security guards hired by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) have been attempting to put up fences at the 184-hectare land at Balete village in Hacienda Luisita. The RCBC “acquired” the land on November 24, 2004 as payment for the loan obligations of Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (Lipco). Since July last year, the farm workers led by the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala or Alliance of Farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita), have occupied the land and cultivated it for their survival. For three days, farm workers have been defending their camp, preventing RCBC security guards from putting up fences. At around 3 p.m. today, seven farm workers have been arrested by the local police. Among those arrested are two village officials of barangay Balete – Winky Esteban and Jay Martinez–Dionisio Mandigma, Manuel Mandigma and Robert Mendoza, according to Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL), the regional federation of farmers groups where Ambala belongs. They have been charged with malicious mischief and are now detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Tarlac City. Also arrested were Alfred Martinez, 17 and Meric Trinidad, 16 and were eventually released at around 4 p.m. AMGL also reported that during the arrest, two policemen pointed their M-16 rifles at farm worker Becky Canlas while two other policemen manhandled Florida Sibayan, leader of the women of Ambala. “We condemn this latest attack against Hacienda Luisita farmworkers. The Cojuangco-Aquino clan is the mastermind of this brutality as they see the camp-out at barangay Balete as the symbol of the farmworkers’ unity to struggle for their rights to the land,” said Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairman. Pending petition Leonor Saroza, Ambala secretary general, told Bulatlat.com that the land being claimed by the RCBC should be part of the thousands of hectares of land to be distributed to them. On November 23, 2011, the Supreme Court issued a decision ordering the distribution of 4,916 hectares of land to farmworker beneficiaries. In the same decision, however, the high court excluded the land being claimed by the RCBC, stating that the bank was a “buyer in good faith.” Ambala filed a petition before the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) seeking to revoke the conversion order the agency issued for the 500 hectares of land, including portions being claimed by the RCBC. In their petition, the farmworkers said the HLI did not comply with its obligations mandated under the conversion order. Specifically, it did not pursue the proposed development plan that was contained in the application for conversion and instead disposed of the 500 hectares to other Cojuango-owned companies and to RCBC. “The SC was shown photos of buildings and structures outside the land being claimed by the RCBC. In reality, the land remains agricultural. There are no buildings there, just eggplant, okra and other crops,” Sarzosa said in Filipino. “The land should be returned to us,” Sarzosa said. Under the law, if the land has not been developed for other purposes and remains agricultural, it should be covered by agrarian reform. “But what did the DAR do? Why did they not get back the land and distribute it to us? Since 2004, there has been no development on the land,” Sarzosa said. Jobert Pahilga, lawyer of Ambala and executive director of Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), said the RCBC is still bound by the terms and conditions of the conversion order issued by DAR. “According to general banking laws, the RCBC must dispose of the land, which must be put under the coverage of agrarian reform,” he said. Speaking at a rally at the foot of Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge this morning, Francine Dizon, Ambala spokesman, criticized the RCBC, saying: “The RCBC claims it did not know that the land is under dispute. How could that be when the whole world knows that a massacre happened?” Dizon said. The transaction between Lipco and RCBC happened eight days after the massacre on November 16, 2004 that claimed the lives of seven farm workers. Compelled to act on the petition of the Ambala, the DAR conducted an ocular inspection on the site on March 26. Ambala said the DAR inspection is the reason why the RCBC is “desperate in putting up the fences.” The RCBC filed grave coercion and occupation of private property against 22 farm workers, mostly leaders of Ambala. Last week, a local court issued a warrant of arrest against the farm workers. In September, the RCBC also filed robbery charges against 17 other leaders and members of Ambala. Collusion of landlords, capitalists Speaking at the rally, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano slammed what he called as the “collusion of RCBC, Cojuangco-Aquinos and the Aquino administration.” “They could not make us believe that Noynoy [Aquino’s nickname] has nothing to do with what is going on inside the hacienda,” Mariano said. “He spoke once, demanding ‘just compensation’ for his family,” he said. “This only proves that until now, the Cojuangco-Aquinos would never give up the land,” Mariano said. AMGL’s Canlas called on different sectors to support the farm workers’ struggle in Hacienda Luisita. “If the presidential family could do such coercion at their very own backyard, worse is to happen to others in different parts of the region and country,” Canlas said. Mariano said the Hacienda Luisita case is “a concrete expression of the class struggle between landlords and big capitalists on one hand and the farm workers and farmers on the other hand.” “Aquino’s straight path is not the path toward genuine agrarian reform. We must persevere in our struggle,” Mariano told Hacienda Luisita farmers and supporters. http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/03/27/tension-builds-up-in-hacienda-luisita-7-arrested/












Brgy. Balete campout of HLI farmworkers dispersed ANTIPOLO City, March 27, 2012—The campout of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers near the RCBC land in Brgy. Balete was violently dispersed by the joint forces of the police, the army, and private security group hired by the Yuchengo-owned bank. “The local organization in Luisita, the Ambala [Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita] reported that members of the Tarlac provincial police, backed by Nueva Ecija provincial police and the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) had already served the order to vacate, issued by the Tarlac City Municipal Trial Court (MTC) Branch I under Judge Marvin Mangino against the farmworkers who occupied the agricultural land in Brgy. Balete inside the hacienda,” said Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) chair Joseph Canlas in message to CBCPNews. He also said that around seven protesting farmworkers were arrested, including a minor. “Manuel Mandigma, Meric Trinidad, who’s a minor, Alfred Martinez and barangay Balete councilors Winky Esteban and Jay Martinez and two who are yet to be identified, were taken by the police,” he said. Canlas, meanwhile, had stood firm on the belief that the Tarlac Municipal Trial Court should have not issued a notice to vacate since there is a case pending at the Supreme Court regarding the land dispute inside Hacienda Luisita. “The Tarlac MTC should inhibit on the forcible entry case filed by Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) as the whole issue of Hacienda Luisita is pending at the Supreme Court and the decision of Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the farmworkers’ petition for revocation of the conversion order is awaiting [resolution],” Canlas said. He also said that the case filed before the Tarlac-MTC is just a plain “criminalization of an agrarian case”. The RCBC had filed another robbery case against Ambala leaders, referring to their opposition of the construction of fences on February 20, 2012. Manwhile, Canlas had accused Judge Marvin Mangino of the Tarlac-MTC Br. 1 as “anti-farmer” and he should be more cautious in issuing decisions that, in the end, he would be sorry for. “We warn Judge Mangino to immediately stop conniving with the Cojuangco-Aquinos as he is making a name for himself as the notorious anti-farmer judge of Tarlac City. He issued many decisions against Tarlac city farmers whose lands are being grabbed by landlords and speculators. We demand the immediate release of those arrested,” the peasant leader said. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]

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