The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) led a nationally coordinated protest action to call for justice for the victims of the Hacienda Luisita and call for genuine land reform. KMP chapters from all over the Philippines will participate to show solidarity with their peasant brothers. 

According to Fernando Cangili, national council member of the KMP, “our chapters in the Ilocos Region led by STOP-Exploitation will hold a mobilization today and tomorrow. Our chapter in Central Luzon led by the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon will hold a protest in Tarlac City in comdemnation of the massacre and to call for justice. While our Panay-chapters led by Pamanggas and BAYAN-Panay will hold a picket rally on Plazoleta Gay. Also our chapters Mindanao will hold mass protest particularly in Gen. Santos led by the South Cotabato Farmer’s Association, in Sultan Kudarat by the KAMASKU and in Davao Sur and North Cotabato by the NAMASDDS,”

“While here in Manila candle-lighting and indignation protests are to be done by the evening to highlight to call for justice for the Hacienda Luisita and to demand that genuine land reform be implemented,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of the group “the KMP condemn in the strongest terms the murder of Marcelino Beltran, chairperson of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Tarlac (AMT) and the vice-chairperson of Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL). He is also a star witness, on the Hacienda Luisita massacre because he saw the actual shooting of the military during the dispersal.  Before he died, Ka Marcing was able to tell his son Mark that the one who shot him were military men. This is a clear case of silencing the witness, by the military. They have already killed 7 strikers and now they are continuing their reign of terror,”

“At around 9 pm last night Ka Marcing went out of his house in  San Sotero, Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac, to see what the dogs are barking at, then someone called his name, then came rapid gun fire. His son run to his side and heard his last statement. He sustained 4 gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival,” added Ala.

“Ka Marcing was a staunch and true peasant leader, the people of Hacienda Luisita and the whole peasant movement will not forget him. He was also suppose to celebrate is 53rd birthday tomorrow December 10, the day of the Universal Declaration Human Rights, how ironic can you get. The Cojuangcos and the military must pay for what they did, they are mistaken if they think that they can cow the peasants with these atrocities,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 9 December 2004