A Day Without Food Is a Lot Better Than a Year Without Freedom

As the peasant movement in the country continues to call for the immediate release of Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, deputy secretary general of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who has been detained for exactly a year today, the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK) is joining the leaders of KMP, friends and families of Ka Randy in a Day of Fasting for Justice and Freedom.

It is not only Ka Randy who is still languishing in jail due to trumped-up charges filed against the stern critics of the Arroyo government.

Rogelio “Mamay” Galit, P.R.O. of Kasama-TK was forcibly taken by the elements of the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon and Police Provincial Office-Cavite at his home in Bgy. Kaong, Silang, Cavite last November 3, 2008 and is currently detained at Calapan Provincial Jail.

Mamay is accused, albeit his deteriorating health due to severe diabetes, of being part of an ambush launched by the New People’s Army against the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Mindoro Oriental last March 3, 2006

Mamay is facing multiple murder charges together with 71 other individuals – more than 30 of which are known leaders of people’s organization in the region – among them are Renato “Tatay Atoy” Alvarez, chairperson and Orly Marcellana, secretary general, both of Kasama-TK and Romel Valdez of Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka).

The peasant movement in the region can not find any wrongdoings of their leaders nor their activities except being passionate defender of the farmers in advancing their struggle for a genuine agrarian reform in the country which is in direct contrast of the interest of the pro-landlord administration of the Arroyo government.

It has become a new tactic of the government to arrest and detain activists without rhyme or reason after the utter failure of extra-judicial killings, abductions that lead to forced disappearances and overly-budgeted counter-insurgency program of AFP-PNP.

In the midst of this fascist stance of the government against the people, the militant farmers in the region take pride in its victorious campaign for the release of the “Tagaytay-5″ last year who are also peasant activists and leaders.

The “Tagaytay-5″ dramatically prove their struggle for justice and freedom by staging different forms of protest while behind bars – fasting and hunger strike for 67-days are among them – now it has become the continuing vow of the leaders and members Kasama-TK to go on fasting and hunger strike whenever necessary to symbolically call for the release of political prisoners and the people’s desire for justice & freedom in the country.

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