Peasant human rights group Tanggol Magsasaka (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted the government of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his barbaric soldiers on the killings of another two peasants last September 19, 2010 in Bundok Matutit, boundary of Bulacan and Montalban, Rizal. The two peasant victims were known as certain Robert, 32 years old and Junior, 27 years both residents of Rizal.
According to Henry Corocan, a witness and a survivor, on September 19 at 5pm, eleven farmers including himself worked in a small scale logging were taking a rest at a nipa hut when one of them, Ronnel, a farmer and a helper, came back rushing to another hut nearby where others are working. According to him, he felt a ghost when he was hunting for birds. That time, Robert and Junior went to check the said area and begun shouting “Hindi kami kalaban!” (We are not your enemies!) The area was 20 yards away from nipa hut and the other farmers heard numerous voices of military men shouting “Dumapa kayo! Dumapa kayo!” (On the ground!) Corocan said that the gunfire lasted for about 15 minutes. After the incident, those who survived including him left the area discreetly. The next day, they learned that Robert and Junior were killed.
In addition, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid ng Rizal (KASAMA – Rizal) believed that the perpetrators were members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP – SAF) as the site is within their area of operations.
“This incident is another attack to peasant sector during Aquino administration. Another massacre, this time in Antipolo, Rizal, just 12 days after the September 7 massacre of 4 peasants including a high school student in Mobo, Masbate. The farmers have been mostly targeted even if they’re peasant activist or ordinary peasants. It is very clear that this case is the 8th and 9th victim of extra-judicial killing (EJK) among peasant sector, according to Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and Co-Convenor of Tanggol Magsasaka.
“Aquino’s 100 days is approaching and yet he remained deaf and blind on rights abuses against peasant. Until now, we never heard him utter about the untimely death of first peasant victim of EJK, Pascual Guevarra, 78 years old, killed last July 9, 2010 in Laur, Nueva Ecija; followed by the killing of Julius Tamondes, on August 12 and Naldo Labrador, on September 3, both residents of Paquibato District, Davao City. Following the massacre of 4 peasants in Mobo, Masbate on September 7 namely Vicente Flores, 41, Richard Oliva, 44, Melencio Monacelio, 45 and Jonathan Monacelio, 21 years old, and a copra farmer Vicente Felisilda from Compostela Valley on September 9, added by Flores.
Tanggol Magsasaka said that the total number of peasants who fell victim to extra-judicial killings reached to 10, thus, on the 100 days of the Aquino government, averaging 1 peasant victim per 10 days.
“Aquino is nothing but a national warlord. Hacienda Luisita, his own backyard is grossly militarized, thus, he is easygoing in implementing it massively in other regions. Human rights seem to be darker under the Aquino government who promised ‘change’ during the elections,” Flores said.
“We call for justice for the recent victims of EJK, as well as during the Arroyo government. Protection of human rights appear to be a non-priority of the Aquino government, thus, we appeal to other sectors to continue the call for justice for the victims,” called Flores. #
TANGGOL MAGSASAKA (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights)
Press Release
September 28, 2010
For reference: Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and Co-Convenor, Tanggol Magsasaka
According to Henry Corocan, a witness and a survivor, on September 19 at 5pm, eleven farmers including himself worked in a small scale logging were taking a rest at a nipa hut when one of them, Ronnel, a farmer and a helper, came back rushing to another hut nearby where others are working. According to him, he felt a ghost when he was hunting for birds. That time, Robert and Junior went to check the said area and begun shouting “Hindi kami kalaban!” (We are not your enemies!) The area was 20 yards away from nipa hut and the other farmers heard numerous voices of military men shouting “Dumapa kayo! Dumapa kayo!” (On the ground!) Corocan said that the gunfire lasted for about 15 minutes. After the incident, those who survived including him left the area discreetly. The next day, they learned that Robert and Junior were killed.
In addition, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid ng Rizal (KASAMA – Rizal) believed that the perpetrators were members of the Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP – SAF) as the site is within their area of operations.
“This incident is another attack to peasant sector during Aquino administration. Another massacre, this time in Antipolo, Rizal, just 12 days after the September 7 massacre of 4 peasants including a high school student in Mobo, Masbate. The farmers have been mostly targeted even if they’re peasant activist or ordinary peasants. It is very clear that this case is the 8th and 9th victim of extra-judicial killing (EJK) among peasant sector, according to Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and Co-Convenor of Tanggol Magsasaka.
“Aquino’s 100 days is approaching and yet he remained deaf and blind on rights abuses against peasant. Until now, we never heard him utter about the untimely death of first peasant victim of EJK, Pascual Guevarra, 78 years old, killed last July 9, 2010 in Laur, Nueva Ecija; followed by the killing of Julius Tamondes, on August 12 and Naldo Labrador, on September 3, both residents of Paquibato District, Davao City. Following the massacre of 4 peasants in Mobo, Masbate on September 7 namely Vicente Flores, 41, Richard Oliva, 44, Melencio Monacelio, 45 and Jonathan Monacelio, 21 years old, and a copra farmer Vicente Felisilda from Compostela Valley on September 9, added by Flores.
Tanggol Magsasaka said that the total number of peasants who fell victim to extra-judicial killings reached to 10, thus, on the 100 days of the Aquino government, averaging 1 peasant victim per 10 days.
“Aquino is nothing but a national warlord. Hacienda Luisita, his own backyard is grossly militarized, thus, he is easygoing in implementing it massively in other regions. Human rights seem to be darker under the Aquino government who promised ‘change’ during the elections,” Flores said.
“We call for justice for the recent victims of EJK, as well as during the Arroyo government. Protection of human rights appear to be a non-priority of the Aquino government, thus, we appeal to other sectors to continue the call for justice for the victims,” called Flores. #
TANGGOL MAGSASAKA (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights)
Press Release
September 28, 2010
For reference: Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and Co-Convenor, Tanggol Magsasaka
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