Statement of the University of the Philippines Manila Student Council
on the July 3 Violent Dispersal of 100-Day Picket Line of Farmers
on the July 3 Violent Dispersal of 100-Day Picket Line of Farmers
July 7, 2010
We, the University Student Council, vehemently condemn the violent dispersal of the 100-day picket line of farmers led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Mendiola last July 3, wherein 42 farmers were illegally arrested and detained and 11 members of progressive organizations including some of our fellow UP Manila students were injured.
The farmers have been camping out at the vicinity of the Mendiola Bridge since Aquino's inauguration last June 30. Among the demonstrators were farm workers from the Aquino-Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. They intended to stay in the area to challenge the new government to address the issue of land reform, and specifically to voice their demand to scrap the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) and thus allow the distribution of the Hacienda Luisita land to the farmers and farm workers. They also call for justice to victims of human rights abuses. But only after 3 days, last July 3 at about 3:30pm, more than 200 elements of Manila police violently dispersed the farmers and demolished their make-shift shelters.
Instead of providing concrete answers to the legitimate demands of the farmers, the Aquino government through its military and police apparatus employ fascism. It is alarming to note that intensified attacks to peasant organizations are being made as the new administration assumes power.
Last May 21, forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police of Laguna violently dispersed the picket line of peasant organizations in Hacienda Yulo in Calamba City. They handcuffed and illegally detained 10 members of peasant organizations including a fellow UP Manila student who is a member of the National Network for Agrarian Reform Advocates- Youth UP Manila. Development Studies students, who were in the area for their practicum and immersion, were also injured during the dispersal.
As Iskolars ng Bayan, we ought to be aware and involved to the issue confronted by the basic sectors of the society including the farmers. Genuine land reform and violation of human rights are just and important issues that should be addressed by the new government led by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
We call on the students as well as other sectors in the UP Manila community to support the farmers and condemn all forms of fascism. We invite everyone to take part in the 100-day picket of the farmers, now situated in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City, by visiting and having discussions with them and donation of food and supplies for their stay. Furthermore, we shall take legal steps to ensure that justice for those who were injured and illegally detained be served.
TUNAY NA REPORMA SA LUPA, IPAGLABAN!
(FIGHT FOR GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM!)
The farmers have been camping out at the vicinity of the Mendiola Bridge since Aquino's inauguration last June 30. Among the demonstrators were farm workers from the Aquino-Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. They intended to stay in the area to challenge the new government to address the issue of land reform, and specifically to voice their demand to scrap the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) and thus allow the distribution of the Hacienda Luisita land to the farmers and farm workers. They also call for justice to victims of human rights abuses. But only after 3 days, last July 3 at about 3:30pm, more than 200 elements of Manila police violently dispersed the farmers and demolished their make-shift shelters.
Instead of providing concrete answers to the legitimate demands of the farmers, the Aquino government through its military and police apparatus employ fascism. It is alarming to note that intensified attacks to peasant organizations are being made as the new administration assumes power.
Last May 21, forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police of Laguna violently dispersed the picket line of peasant organizations in Hacienda Yulo in Calamba City. They handcuffed and illegally detained 10 members of peasant organizations including a fellow UP Manila student who is a member of the National Network for Agrarian Reform Advocates- Youth UP Manila. Development Studies students, who were in the area for their practicum and immersion, were also injured during the dispersal.
As Iskolars ng Bayan, we ought to be aware and involved to the issue confronted by the basic sectors of the society including the farmers. Genuine land reform and violation of human rights are just and important issues that should be addressed by the new government led by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
We call on the students as well as other sectors in the UP Manila community to support the farmers and condemn all forms of fascism. We invite everyone to take part in the 100-day picket of the farmers, now situated in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City, by visiting and having discussions with them and donation of food and supplies for their stay. Furthermore, we shall take legal steps to ensure that justice for those who were injured and illegally detained be served.
TUNAY NA REPORMA SA LUPA, IPAGLABAN!
(FIGHT FOR GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM!)
