At the launching of the Solidarity Committee:Justice for Hacienda Luisita Massacre Victims, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted the persons responsible for the death threats to the journalists covering the Hacienda Luisita strike, the subsequent violent dispersal and the continuing harassment experienced by the strikers. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “this is the height of impunity of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan, they even threaten media who are just covering what is really happening at the hacienda. The family of Cory Aquino will be the only one to gain if the journalists exposing the truth about Hacienda Luisita are silenced. In this light we are challenging Rep. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to resign from his post in the House of Representatives because he no longer represents his constituents but he is also a threat to their lives, in protecting his family’s interest,”

“We are one with journalists who are exposing the truth about the ills of our society and working for a better tomorrow. We salute you for your courage in performing your vocation for our society and we hope that you continue standing up for the truth,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP, “if anything happens to Len Espinosa of the Manila Times, Paul Gonzales of the Headline News and other media practitioners covering the Hacienda Luisita story then we have no one else to blame but the Cojuangco-Aquino clan, because they are the ones who are trying to hide the real score in the hacienda,”

The two journalists received “text messages” on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, from anonymous “texters” vowing to kill them. Gonzales said he received the death threat through his mobile phone’s “business card” on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, stating he “will be next.”
Espinosa and Gonzales also covered and witnessed the Nov. 16 dispersal and killing of Hacienda Luisita workers and farm workers and their supporters.Now they are doing follow-up stories on the issue. It can be remembered that one key witness of the massacre Marcelino “Ka Marcing” Beltran, chairperson of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Tarlac, was killed in front of his house last Dec.8. # # #

KMP - 18 January 2005