MEMBERS of the Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) are least likely to support presidential candidate Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III because justice has continued to elude the victims of the Hacienda Luisita massacre.
KMP secretary general Danilo Ramos said this is because of Aquino's "blind-eye" on the demands of the farmers of Hacienda Luisita even after the Hacienda Luisita massacre on November 16, 2004 where seven were killed and 27 wounded.
"Ang ipinaglalaban noon ay lupa. Lupa para sa magsasaka, pero ang tugon ng gobyerbo ay bala. Nagdaan ang mga taon, walang hustisya, walang lupa," Ramos said Teusday in a press conference at Bolton St.
Ramos however admitted that 2,000 hectares are currently cultivated by farmers through their own organizations. "Mahigit 2,000 hectaria na ang sinasaka sa loob. Umaani sila ng 80-100 ka bags per hectare kumpara sa dati noong 2004 na P9.50 net pay per agricultural worker. Nais nila na sila mismo ang nagbubungkal ng lupa," Ramos said.
But the Luisita's estate management, Ramos said, continues to force the farmers under the will of Luisita's shareholders.
"Sa Hacienda Lusita, nagpapatuloy ang problema sa lupa ng mga agricultural workers at magsasaka loob ng hacienda. Ang kahilingan ng KMP kay Noynoy Aquino, ipamahagi niya ang mahigit limanlibong hektaryang lupa sa loob nga Jacienda Luisita," Ramos said.
Ramos said Aquino is among the biggest shareholders of Hacienda Luisita.
"Hindi po totoo na maliit lamang ang kanyang share. Isa siya sa may pinakamalalaking share kasama ni Peping Cojuanco. Kung talagang totoo siya sa kaniyang sinasabing pagbabago, gagawin niya ang kahilingan ng mga magsasaka," Ramos said.
Other than the Hacienda Luisita incident, Ramos recalled the Mendiola Massacre, which occured during late President Corazon Aquino's term.
"January 22, 1987 nangyari ang Mendiola massacre kung saan sinugod kami ng militar at pulisya sa aming protesta para sa agrariang reporma. Nabaril at napatay ang labintatlong magsasaka at higit limampu ang nasugatan," Ramos said.
"January 22, 2001, kasama ako sa nakipagusap sa kay Arroyo sa MalacaƱang. Ang kahilingan namin ay katarungan para sa mga namatay sa Mendiola Massacre. Itigil ang pamamaslang at palayain ang mga bilanggong pulitikal," Ramos said.
"Ngunit hanggang ngayon walang nangyari at sa katuynayan, sa panahon ni Gloria, tatlumpot-dalawang mga farmer leaders at sibilyan ang pinaslang dahil sa land-grabbing at kung ano pa man."
On Wednesday, a group of farmers and their allies started on a 10-day march from here to the national capital to bring attention to their shout for justice as well as for the scrapping of the extended comprehensive agrarian reform program (Carp). The KMP believes the extended Carp or Carper just lengthens the period of implementation of a law that benefits landowners and not the poor landless farmers.