The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) issued the strongest condemnation for the killing of Ricardo “Ka Ric” Ramos, president of the striking Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) and also the baranggay captain of  Brgy. Mapalacsiao in Hacienda Luisita. He was killed last night by believed to be military agents at around 9 pm in Mapalacsaio. He was hit on the head by a single bullet believed to be that of a M14 rifle which shattered his skull. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, “the interests of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Palparan and the Cojuangcos met in the physical elimination of Ka Ric. The CATLU as well as the whole Hacienda Luisita community are staunch anti-Gloria and Ka Ric is a known and respected leader in the whole of Tarlac, by eliminating him, Malacanang in its sick logic think that the militant stance of the people would change. Palparan considering his track record would readily obey this order and would implement it with gusto, to sow more terror among the people of Central Luzon. While the Cojuangcos used this as a retaliatory move against Ramos for leading the workers to fight for better wages and benefit alongside with the United Luisita Worker’s Union (ULWU),”

“The CATLU and ULWU are also gaining some initial victories in their struggle because of the favorable recommendation of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the revocation of the Stock Distribution Option in Luisita, the reluctant giving of the Cojuangcos’ of the P8.8 million worth of back pay of the CATLU workers, which was enforced through the sheriff and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the issuance of a DAR order holding in abeyance all the land in Hacienda Luisita, meaning the Cojuangcos cannot enter into any transaction regarding the land and all projects in Luisita would be stopped, including the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Expressway which is a priority project of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. We see these as the motives behind Ka Ric’s killing,” added the peasant leader.

Meanwhile Ka Willy Marbella, internal deputy secretary general of KMP said, “in fact when Ka Ric was killed they were celebrating the giving of back pay of the CATLU workers. Also according to our members at the crime scene the gunman hid on the bushes about 15 meters away from the hut where Ka Ric was celebrating with them. They heard a shot and Ka Ric’s head was shattered. Also Glen Guzman, a resident of Mapalacsiao said that 2 military men insistently bought his dog before the incident,”

His house is near where the gunman hid and a dog would definitely be a hindrance to his mission.

“We are now taking extra precaution for our leaders but we will continue with the struggle. This incident will only strengthen our resolve to struggle even harder to oust Gloria and to demand justice for her victims,” ended Marbella. # # #
 

KMP - 26 October 2005