The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), together with its regional chapter the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) showed its all out support for the launching of the strike in Hacienda Luisita by the United Luisita Workers Union and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, “the whole membership of our 1.1 million strong organization is one with our brothers in Hacienda Luisita who are fighting for their rights to stay on the land and to till it, as well. The long hardships of the farm-workers and workers in the hacienda should now be stopped and they have now taken matters into their own hands,”
“Their increasing suffering has shown the inutility of the Stock Distribution Option as well as the CARP, and now their call for the scrapping of these laws are ever more resounding,” added the peasant leader.

As for her part Ka Lita Mariano of the AMGL, “while the Cojuangcos frolic on the lap of luxury, farm workers in the hacienda only have a pittance of a salary. A mere P9.50 per manday and only 1-2 mandays a week is allowed, compare this to Mikee Cojuangco’s hobby of buying thoroughbreds worth at an average of P38 million, then we can see how large the disparity is between the two stock holders of Hacienda Luisita,”
“This disparity should immediately be closed or if not, then drastically be reduced,” exclaimed Mariano.

Meanwhile Rene “Ka Boyet” Galang, president of ULWU, stated their demands, “First is that all retrenched workers should be allowed to return to work. Second, there should be a moratorium in the retrenchment of workers. Third, we should be given the right to till the land for us to have something to eat. Fourth, the junking of the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) scheme. Fifth, stop the militarization in the hacienda. Sixth, a moratorium on land use conversions in the hacienda.These are our demands and they are all legit. We are prepared to sustain the strike until our demands are met. The Cojuangcos’ have live off our labor long enough it is time that they give something back,”

Hacienda Luisita is a 6,000 hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac, which is managed by the Cojuangco family particularly the side of Cory and Peping. Now it seems that Danding Cojuangco, their estranged cousin is planning to purchase the hacienda. # # #
 

KMP - 6 November 2004