Japan Group Releases Report on Killings in Philippines

(1) Labor and land dispute in Hacienda Luisita

Hacienda Luisita is a 6,000-hectare property covering 11 Barangays in Tarlac City, Central Luzon. In 1958, Jose Cojuanco Sr. acquired the land with the assistance of a government loan under the condition that it would be distributed to resident farmers after ten years. Then Cojuanco started running a sugar farm as well as a sugar mill factory by hiring residents of Luisita as farm-workers and factory-workers. After the initial ten-year period, however, Cojuanco refused to distribute the land. In 1985, it was decided in a case filed against the Cojuanco family by the Marcos government requiring the distribution of the land under the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) that the Cojuanco-Aquino family must redistribute the land. Prior to this decision, the family had begun to plan development projects for the land, distributing stocks rather than land under the SDO (Stock Distribution Option).63 In 1991, the stocks were distributed; however, the residents of Luisita had to remain as worker for Cojuanco with low levels of compensation. Since then, the workers have been struggling to improve their work conditions in addition to their claim to power as minority stockholders. In 2004, two major Unions started a strike demanding better working conditions. After this strike commenced, many cases of extrajudicial killings took place.

(2) Hacienda Luisita Massacre64

On November 16, 2004, twelve workers were killed, 72 were wounded, and 110 were arrested when over a thousand members of the combined forces of the PNP (Philippines National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) stormed the blockade at a demonstration at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City, Central Luzon.5 Tear gas and chemical-laced water cannons were used in an attempt to break the picket line in the days preceding the massacre. When those measures failed, the military and police began firing shots at the crowd of over a thousand picketers. Both forces believed that the strike was instigated by the NPA .

Two major unions, ULWU (United Luisita Workers Union representing over 5,000 regional farmers) and CATLU (Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labour Union representing 750 sugar mill workers) declared the strike on November 6, 2004, after the firing of twenty three workers. ULWU`s demands included an increase of work days from 1-2 days a week to 5-6 days per week, 10% wage increase, and the usage of vacant lots for subsistence agriculture. CATLU`s demands included a 100-peso increase in daily wages, the reinstatement of over three hundred dismissed workers, and an increase in benefits. Since the strike started and the picket line was established in front of the main gate of the farm, the PNP had deployed to disperse the picket line. However, the workers prevented the dispersion of the picket line through peaceful ways. In the morning of November 16, 2004, the representatives of the Unions visited Cojuanco to have a negotiation. However, Cojuanco rejected to meet with the representatives. Meanwhile, besides the PNP, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has also deployed in front of the picket line.65

Case 4: Jesus Lasa

Background Information:

【Victim】　Jesus Lasa (34 years old, male), resident of Hacienda Luisita

Farm worker of the Hacienda Luisita Sugar Farm,

Active member of ULWU(United Luisita Workers Union)

【Incident】　He was shot on November 16, 2004 in Hacienda Luisita and later died

【Perpetrators】 The elements of AFP was identified as perpetrators by witnesses.

Circumstances of the Killing　　

At the time he was killed, he was participating in the workers’ strike with his father, who is also a worker and resident of Hacienda Luisita. He was shot and killed in the course of the AFP’s attack on the picket line. HRN interviewed his father who witnessed the whole event of the massacre on that day and in particular, the shooting of his son who was then beside him.

Around 3 p.m. of that day, at least a thousand soldiers and local police came with two Armed Personnel Cars (APC) and two fire trucks. Striking workers were warned to disperse within five minutes or many people would be hurt. Workers continued to stand their ground and in response, water cannons were used against them. Soldiers then threw canisters of tear-gas at the workers. The workers continued to maintain their ranks and moved towards the gate, which separated the workers from the military and police. As the workers moved forward, they threw stones at the soldiers to defend themselves and to make the soldiers retreat. In response, the (APC) hit and destroyed the gate and soldiers and police threw more tear-gas into the crowd. While many workers stood their ground, several ran to escape the effects of the tear-gas and people from nearby communities rushed to help the afflicted workers with pails of waters. Shortly after, soldiers fired onto the crowd.

Case 5: Juancho Sanchez66

Background Information:

【Victim】 Juancho Sanchez (20 years old, male)

Resident of Barangay Balate, Member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Christian Youth Fellowship.

【Incident】 He was shot and killed on November 16, 2004 in　the course of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre while serving water to striking workers.

【Perpetrators】 The elements of AFP was identified as perpetrators by witnesses.