Farmers Group: Spirit of EDSA 1 is Dead

The spirit of EDSA I is dead, EDSA II was a big mistake, and a new EDSA movement is needed, according to the peasant federation Task Force Mapalad (TFM).

TFM president Jose Rodito Angeles said the dark shadow of the former Marcos regime is back, and commemoration of EDSA I is hollow.

�EDSA I should not be commemorated at all. Its spirit is gone. The economic and political ills�graft and corruption, political killings, plunder of the nation�s resources�that plagued the dark days of the Marcos regime are back today, in even worse forms,� said Angeles.

He added that the EDSA II revolt that deposed former President Estrada and installed the current presidency was a big mistake.

�Many of those who joined the ouster of President Estrada are having regrets, especially those who have become victims of forced disappearances and political killings perpetrated under this administration,� said Angeles.

He said that landless farmers and rural poor have suffered unprecedented hardships under the Arroyo administration.

�This administration not only neglected the farmers, it plundered resources intended for the farmers, and it killed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which is the only hope of the farmers to own land and to escape from poverty,� said Angeles.

He added that many landholdings already acquired under CARP cannot be processed for distribution because the Arroyo administration protects the interest of big landowners.

�This administration dislikes land distribution because it wants to allot two million hectares of prime agricultural lands for large-scale agribusiness production of global entrepreneurs. This includes the production of bio-ethanol products of which First Gentleman Mike Arroyo�s �CARPed � 157-hectare Hacienda Bacan in Negros Occidental is intended for, � said Angeles.

He said the Arroyo administration had turned deaf ears on the demands and grievances of the farmers. Hacienda Bacan is yet to be distributed to some 68 farmer-beneficiaries. Government has acquired it through the LandBank of the Philippines but FG Lawyer Ruy Rondain had written the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) stating that DAR should cease and desist from physically occupying and possessing the land because CARP had expired.

�The farmers have lost hope under this administration. We understand now that we cannot realize our dream of owning land and improving our lives as long as the Arroyos are in power,� said Angeles.

He said the farmers eagerly looking forward to the 2010 elections for a change in national leadership and government.

�A new EDSA spirit is needed. This new spirit is needed to prevent any moves for charter change that would perpetuate the Arroyos in power. It is also needed to ensure free, clean and honest elections in 2010,� said Angeles.

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