The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) warned that the late Councilor Abelardo Ladera may not be the last of the NOLCOM’s and the the Cojunagco-Aquino clan’s victims in relation to the Hacienda Luisita dispute. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group “we have a copy of the Northern Luzon Command’s (NOLCOM) briefing paper on the Hacienda Luisita issue and Councilor Ladera is one of those on top of the list, that the military branded as agitators of the dispute. Thereby painting the scenario that these individuals from the local level up to the national level are the once who instigated the strike,”

“The names on the list are mostly leaders of the local people’s organization in the area, but on the national level the briefing paper includes Anakpawis Rep.  Rafael Mariano, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino, Gabriela Rep. Liza Masa and Judge ad litem Romeo T. Capulong. We have also received reports that the individuals on the NOLCOM briefing paper have been warned of having a serious threat to their lives,” added the peasant leader.

“President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is also to blame for this for not taking immediate action in defense of the workers rights and for letting her military men do as they pleased. She has clearly put the lives of the workers, farm workers and their supporters in clear and present danger,” expounded Ramos.

As for his part, Rene “Ka Boyet” Galang, president of the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and United Luisita Worker’s Union (ULWU), as well as a cousin of the late councilor, “the management as well as the NOLCOM has done it again, we having engaging in dialogue to settle this peacefully but this is too much we are nw pulling out of the negotitiations. From the start they have been dealing with us in bad faith and they are not really serious in addressing our demands,

“If they will still do nothing to alleviate our plight, then we will also pull out our stocks in the corporation. We might as well take matters in our own hands,they are killing us one by one” ended Galang. # # # 
 

KMP - 4 March 2005