The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) condemned in the strongest terms the recent shooting of 3 workers manning the west gate in Hacienda Luisita by armed men accompanied by the police. The shooting took place around 11 pm last night and was perpetrated by four (4) armed and intoxicated men coming from inside the azucarera and they were in full view of policemen when they shot the workers. The workers are Ernesto Ramos, Jong Lablan and Gilbert Siodora, the first two were shot on the chest and the third was grazed by a bullet. The suspects are believed to be paid hacks of the Cojuangco-Aquinos or policemen/military men in civilian clothing, they got away on board a gray Nissan Patrol with plate number TLA 119.

According to Ka Willy Marbella, spokesperson of KMP, “this is part of the scheme of the Cojuangco-Aquinos to sow terror among the striking farm-workers and workers. We are seeing a systematic and orchestrated ploy to break the resolve of the strikers. Last January 4, around 5:30-6 in the evening, Parang Baranggay Captain Rey Nemis together with his tanods and Mabilog Baranggay Captain Mabilanga, mauled Celestino Panelo and Noel Mallari members of United Luisita Worker’s Union (ULWU). They also used trucheons to hit the tricycle of Ben Papoza, the honorary chair of Alyansa ng Manggagawang-Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and vice-chair of  Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Tarlac. A gun was also aimed at them during this time when they were manning the Parawakan exit where the paid hacks of the Cojuangco uses to get into the premises,”

“Congressman Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, also escorted more than 200 military and policemen on the night of January 3, into the azucarera premises using the west gate. He also seems to be intoxicated on alcohol and some say that he seems to be high on drugs for he is talking to himself during that time. The next night the shooting incident happened, how can the Cojuangco-Aquinos deny their hand in this blood bath which goes unabated since November 16?” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP “the Cojuangco-Aquinos are engaging in a systematic bloodbath with impunity because they have Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as their backer. This is also the reason why the Cojuangco-Aquinos do not want to negotiate with the farm-workers and workers, they have a very powerful and influential backer,”

As can be remembered on November 13, 2004 in Clark Airbase, concerned individuals and workers’ representatives met with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intervene in the strike but all she said was that the Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) will stand thereby causing the massacre that ensued on the 16th of November last year.

“With Gloria as a backer and the Cojuangco-Aquinos’ wanton disregard of rights and lives, the next thing that might happen may be another massacre of farm workers and workers of the hacienda,” ended Ala. # # #

KMP - 6 January 2005