DAR, OSG in collusion with Aquino on Luisita, says peasant group

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today accused the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for appearing to be “in collusion” with President Aquino in hiding its official stand on the agrarian dispute involving Hacienda Luisita, a vast sugar estate owned by the President’s family.

“Up to now, Luisita farmers still have to hear a word from the OSG and the DAR on what steps they are going to take. The DAR and the OSG appears in collusion with the President in hiding the administration’s official stand on the Hacienda Luisita issue,” says KMP secretary general Danilo Ramos.

“We challenge the DAR to side with Hacienda Luisita farmers who are determined to fight for their rights to the lands,” says Ramos announcing that “a series of protest by Hacienda Luisita farmers against the SC decision are now set.”

“On Monday, Luisita farmers will set up a protest camp at the DAR to press for land distribution,” he said.

The KMP leader also continued to press Aquino to break his silence on the Supreme Court decision on the agrarian dispute.

Ramos said “the President must stop his political posturing through a so-called hands-off policy. Aquino’s continuing silence on the pro-Cojuangco SC decision is tantamount to siding with his relatives.”

“The President’s so-called hands-off policy on Hacienda Luisita forms part of the continuing deception and denial of farmers and farm workers’ rights.”

Ramos, who is also a member of International Coordinating Committee of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) and Nepali peasant activist Balaram Banskota of All Nepal Peasant Federation (ANFA) agreed to endorse the resolution to be submitted by Hacienda Luisita farm worker leader Rodel Mesa, secretary general of Unyon ng Mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) during the plenary of the international conference being held in Manila from July 7 to 9.

Ramos and Banskota said activists from the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Hong Kong,Japan, Argentina, Kenya, Senegal, West Africa, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, Cameroon, Burundi, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Cambodia, Venezuela, Italy, Swtizerland, New Zealand, and the Philippines have criticized the decision of the Supreme Court instructing the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to conduct a referendum on the hotly disputed agrarian case since 1957.

Banskota described the high court ruling as inimical and deceitful to farm worker beneficiaries.

The high tribunal voting 6-4 revoked the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) but called for a referendum to ask Luisita farmworkers whether they want to have their own land or shares of stocks in the hacienda owned by the family of Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III

“The Philippine Supreme Court decision on Hacienda Luisita negates the collective interest of Filipino farmers for genuine land reform and social justice. We believe the cutting edge of land reform is free land distribution not stock distribution. We hope the high court in your country will reconsider its decision when the lawyers of the farmers submit their motion for reconsideration,” the Nepali peasant leader said.

Banskota, also an official of the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) also urged President Aquino and his family to give up Hacienda Luisita and allow its free distribution to farm workers.

“National interest dictates President Aquino and the Cojuangco family to give up their questionable ownership of the 6,453-hectare sugar estate. If this is the case, then Aquino and the Cojuangco clan have no options but to cede control of Luisita to farm worker beneficiaries, “he said.

“The decision of the Supreme Court affirms the immoral and illegal control of the President and his family over Hacienda Luisita. It is correct to say, the decision is a political concession to the President and to all the landed clique in the country. The message is clear — the big landlords can always rely on reactionary court at the expense of peasant land rights and social justice,” Ramos maintained.

The KMP leader also said Hacienda Luisita farm workers will file a motion for reconsideration within the next few days upon receipt of the SC decision. #