What does it take to get justice in the Philippines?
What
does it take to get justice in the Philippines?:
The
Struggle for Land, Life, and Rights of Filipino Farmers
By: Sumilao
Solidarity Group*
TEN
YEARS AGO,
on October 9, 1997, the Mapadayunong Panaghiusa sa mga Lumad Alang sa
Damlag Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAPALAD-MPC), a group of farmers
composed of 137 families staged a 28-day lugol,
an indigenous form of hunger strike to express their demand to
redistribute the 144 hectares of land traditionally part of the seat
of government of their ancestors. The historic hunger strike gathered
critical public and media support that pressured former President
Fidel Ramos to declare a ‘win-win' solution giving the farmers
100 hectares, and the remaining 44 to the former landowners, Norberto
Quisumbing Sr. Management and Development Corporation (NQSRMDC).
However, their victory was short-lived when the Philippine Supreme
Court on appeal by the NQSRMDC, reversed the Presidential ruling and
approved the land use conversion application from agricultural to
agro-industrial use.
Under
the guise of community welfare and development and with the support
of the local government, NQSRMDC presented its conversion plan that
promised to bring in investors and potential revenues through the
construction of hotels, commercial centers, recreational parks,
processing plants, etc.
TEN
YEARS AFTER THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT,
the disputed land remains idle. None of the projects upon which the
conversion was conditioned were implemented. Then in
2002, the Quisumbings illegally sold the 144-hectare land to the San
Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI). SMFI plans to put up a 144-hectare
piggery farm in violation of the conditions of the approved
conversion order.
In
2004, the
Sumilao farmers filed a Petition for the Cancellation of the
Conversion Order against Quisumbing and/or SMFI before the Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on the basis that more than 5 years have
passed since the Conversion Order and yet the Quisumbings have failed
to initiate any development work on the land. Further, the SMFI
grossly violated the conditions of the Conversion Order by completely
changing its use to hog farm. Both actions are, in fact, in violation
of DAR Administrative Orders 1 and 2, Series of 1990 and other
pertinent laws on land conversion.
However,
the DAR ruled, albeit mistakenly, that it has no jurisdiction over
the case as the same belongs to the Office of the President (OP).
The Sumilao Farmers appealed to the OP where the case is currently
pending.
AND
NOW,
the Sumilao farmers, again risking their lives, health, and safety,
are currently marching from Sumilao, Bukidnon to Malacanang in the
hope of generating public awareness and support for their plight.
Their demands are: the
immediate revocation by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the
conversion order for the said 144-hectare estate; immediate issuance
by the DAR of the "notice of coverage" and redistribution of the
said property; and the enactment of a law extending and reforming the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
In
doing so, the people are given a sliver of hope in the governance and
justice system of this country.
By
not doing so, the notion that the law is only for the rich and
powerful is further reinforced.
If
a convicted plunderer like former President Joseph Estrada could be
"pardoned" for his crimes by Arroyo, shouldn't the Sumilao
farmers be entitled to more "justice" as they have not violated
any law but are merely trying to claim the right given to them by the
law itself.
If
staging a hunger strike and walking all the way from Mindanao to
Manila will not be enough to get justice from this government, what
else then can the people do?
x
x x
*
Composed of Akbayan! Citizens' Party List, AR! Now, AFA, AsiaDHRRA,
Balaod Mindnaw, KAISAHAN, CARET, Focus on the Global
South-Philippines, NCICSI, PAKISAMA, SALIGAN, etc.
For
more information about the campaign, pls. visit
http://sumilaomarch.multiply.com/.
To
sign the online petition, please visit
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sumilaofarmers/index.html.
To
send your solidarity messages to the Sumilao farmers, pls. email
arnow.inc@gmail.com.
