The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) scored the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) for de facto implementing the media gag Lt. Gen Edilberto Adan proposed for the whole country. 

According to Ka Willy Marbella, spokesperson of KMP, “though the implementation is just Central Luzon, it is very alarming considering that it may just be a test case, then the whole nation will be next. We have come across this conclusion when not even a picture nor a story of the massive turn out for the funeral march of slain Coun. Abel Ladera, landed in print,”

“When we asked local print reporters, they said that they did write the story but it seems that the media gag is already in effect in Central Luzon. One correspondent even said that there were 3 of them representing one paper on the event but none of their stories came out today,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of the group, “this is a very portent development, they are now clamping on media and censoring what is to come out in the news. The Ladera funeral march was participated by more than 20,000 mourners and they announced the launching of the Justice for Ladera, Justice for Luisita movement, is this not news worthy?”

“We are challenging media outlets to stand up for the truth and not be bullied by the military and the police. We must not allow our voices to be stifled because in the end, they will use this silence in further oppressing us,” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 10 March 2005