Luisita farmers urge DOJ to act on complaints
Hacienda Luisita farmers led by the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) trooped to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging Sec. Leila de Lima to act on their complaints of harassment by security forces of Tarlac Development Corporation (Tadeco) who were fencing and bulldozing their crops and farmlands. The group also filed […]
Hacienda Luisita farmers led by the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) trooped to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging Sec. Leila de Lima to act on their complaints of harassment by security forces of Tarlac Development Corporation (Tadeco) who were fencing and bulldozing their crops and farmlands.
The group also filed a new complaint, this time involving a minor who was arrested by Tadeco security personnel after he took videos of the bulldozing activities on February 8.
They also condemned the arrest of their chairperson Florida Sibayan and farmer Julius Loveland last Wednesday while trying to process their bail for charges of threat filed by a Cojuangco security guard. They were released yesterday after posting bail.
According to Ambala, the DOJ has not been not acting on their complaints. The group said they first filed complaints on January 16. In news report by Bulatlat.com, De Lima said she has yet to check the status of the case with Undersec. Baraan.
Ambala added that 12 farmer-families lost an estimated Php 2,111,000 crops ready for harvest this March, razed homes and destroyed personal belongings and farm implements. Farmers also reported theft of farm animals and harvest.
“The reported losses are for a single incident alone. Cojuangco-Aquino guards have been destroying farmers’ homes and livelihood in Barangay Balete since after Typhoon Santi hit Central Luzon in October,” said Christopher Garcia, spokesperson of Ambala.
The group added that aside from Tadeco, another Cojuangco-owned company, Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT), commenced the clearing of hundreds of hectares in barangay Mapalacsiao, affecting 50 farmer families in Sitio Maligaya.
