The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), with its regional chapter in Central Luzon the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) denounced the Hacienda Luisita Management and the AFP Northern Luzon Command for issuing statements for the purpose of misleading the public. According to Ka Lita Mariano, secretary general of AMGL, “the dispersal of the ULWU-CATLU picket-line these last few days is a sign of desperation of the Cojuangcos’ and is itself illegal. It injured men, women and children, families of farm-workers who are only demanding what is long due them. Lt. Col. Preme Monta’s statement that the strikers were the ones who started the violence is a lot of hogwash. How can the protesters do that when they are having a program and all are listening? And can the farm-workers buy teargas when they do not even have enough money to buy food? This is highly ridiculous!”

“We also have footages to prove that the ones who started the commotion were the security guards, the police and the 69th, 70th Infantry Battalion and the 708th Infantry Brigade. Their claim that the strikers are only a minority is also false because how can the strike paralyze the whole operation of the hacienda if only a handful were to hold a strike. The truth is that an overwhelming majority of the farm-workers and workers joined the strike and that they are supported not only by the whole Hacienda Luisita community but by a lot of allies and well meaning individuals,” added the feisty peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP, “the HLI management and the AFP should stop diverting the issue on mere technicalities. What they should answer is that are not the workers’ and farm-workers’ rights being violated inside the hacienda of the Cojuangco’s, the family of a former president at that,”

“What is illegal, immoral and inhuman is the pittance of a salary of P9.50 that the farm workers receive. What is heart wrenching is that while Mikee Cojuangco has a stable of thoroughbreds worth at P38 million each at the minimum, while families of the ones toiling day in and out have nothing to eat. And now when they air their demands they are being branded as troublemakers? Where is the justice in that?” asked Ala.

The whole of Central Luzon will also show its support for the demands of the Hacienda Luisita strikers today, by launching a protest action in front of Tarlac City capitol, and a region wide transport strike is also now in full swing. # # #
 

KMP - 8 November 2004