THE human-rights watchdog Karapatan has called on President Duterte to distribute land formerly owned by Lapanday Foods Corp. to farmers in Tagum City who had been awarded lots in the 145-hectare area in December 2015.
“The December 12 shooting of farm workers in Barangay Madaum, Tagum City, by Lapanday guards has been one too many incidents of violence against farmers asserting their right to land. President Duterte should uphold the interests of farmers by addressing landlessness,” Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said.
Initial reports by Karapatan’s chapter in Southern Mindanao indicate that seven farmers were shot by Lapanday security guards wearing masks and black sweatshirts.
Members of Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. (Marbai) were attending a protest action to press for the distribution of the land when they were fired upon.
“Just when everyone thought the worst was over, Lapanday guards are at it again. Around 8 a.m. today [December 12], guards attacked and fired at the farmer-beneficiaries belonging to Marbai. Three were reported wounded, Ronald Patindol, Randy Rana and another still unnamed,” Palabay reported.
On December 5 farmers engaged in bungkalan, or land cultivation, in Barangay Mapalacsiao, Hacienda Luisita, were forcibly evicted by drunken guards of Lourdes Barangay Chairman Edison Diaz. Those guards are still occupying the farmers’ huts as of this writing.
“Throughout history, peasants have been massacred, killed, detained, tortured and disappeared due to their struggle to break free from feudal bonds. Thus, the list of incidents go on—the Mendiola massacre, Hacienda Luisita massacre, Lupao Massacre, Kidapawan shooting, Sumilao massacre and more,” Palabay said.
Karapatan has recorded 18 political killings when Duterte took over in July until last month.
All of the victims were farmers.
“We call on President Duterte to immediately enforce the distribution of land to the farm workers of Lapanday and protect the struggling farmers from the violence inflicted on them by landlords and agribusinesses,”
Palabay also said.