The groups Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon) and its chapter Alyansa ng Manggagawang bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA, Farmworkers’ Alliance in Hacienda Luisita) were firm and determined on their plan to file a petition for revocation of the conversion order of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) issued by the Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in 1995 that involved the 300 hectares at Brgy. Balete, within the Hacienda Luisita. After the November 22 Supreme Court decision that favored the farm workers, 14-0 among the justices, the farm workers vowed to assert their rights over the 4,915 has. agricultural land including those claimed by RCBC that the Cojuangco family sold through the Luisita Industrial Park Corp. (LIPCO).
According to Felix Nacpil, Chairperson of AMBALA, “The RCBC is the new landlord conniving with the Cojuangcos to suppress farm workers’ rights in Hacienda Luisita particularly at Brgy. Balete. The world already knows about the agrarian unrest in Hacienda Luisita but RCBC played ignorant and continued with their purchase from the Cojuangcos whose control over the land was based on power, corruption and lies. Thus, we are very eager to file a petition and also, we caution DAR Central office to be fair on the decision.”
“In addition, there was no development whatsoever within five years after the conversion order was issued, thus, it should be automatically be considered null and void,” added by Nacpil.
AMGL said that since July 16 last year, farm workers cultivated the said lands at Brgy. Balete, so as to make it productive and be a source of food and livelihood. In six months, police forces attempted to demolish the farm workers’ camp-out on October 28, but the farm workers stood ground and thwarted the attempt.
“Hacienda Luisita farm workers are facing a new stage of struggle against a big transnational corporation RCBC whose interest is to rake profit from speculatively investing on disputed lands,” said Joseph Canlas, AMGL Chairperson.
“RCBC is a newbie in facing a peasant struggle. It seems that they have no knowledge of the farm workers’ resilience to continue their struggle even after being massacred on November 16, 2004. They are beefing up their security posts at Brgy. Balete,” he added.
“We are now preparing for the filing of petition at DAR Central office. RCBC should also be aware that Hacienda Luisita farm workers could always divert its protest in front of their main office if they continue their illegitimate and immoral claim of the land at Brgy. Balete,” said Nacpil. #
According to Felix Nacpil, Chairperson of AMBALA, “The RCBC is the new landlord conniving with the Cojuangcos to suppress farm workers’ rights in Hacienda Luisita particularly at Brgy. Balete. The world already knows about the agrarian unrest in Hacienda Luisita but RCBC played ignorant and continued with their purchase from the Cojuangcos whose control over the land was based on power, corruption and lies. Thus, we are very eager to file a petition and also, we caution DAR Central office to be fair on the decision.”
“In addition, there was no development whatsoever within five years after the conversion order was issued, thus, it should be automatically be considered null and void,” added by Nacpil.
AMGL said that since July 16 last year, farm workers cultivated the said lands at Brgy. Balete, so as to make it productive and be a source of food and livelihood. In six months, police forces attempted to demolish the farm workers’ camp-out on October 28, but the farm workers stood ground and thwarted the attempt.
“Hacienda Luisita farm workers are facing a new stage of struggle against a big transnational corporation RCBC whose interest is to rake profit from speculatively investing on disputed lands,” said Joseph Canlas, AMGL Chairperson.
“RCBC is a newbie in facing a peasant struggle. It seems that they have no knowledge of the farm workers’ resilience to continue their struggle even after being massacred on November 16, 2004. They are beefing up their security posts at Brgy. Balete,” he added.
“We are now preparing for the filing of petition at DAR Central office. RCBC should also be aware that Hacienda Luisita farm workers could always divert its protest in front of their main office if they continue their illegitimate and immoral claim of the land at Brgy. Balete,” said Nacpil. #
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