Military ‘prepared for the worst’ in Hacienda Luisita

CAMP AQUINO, Philippines—The military said that they are prepared to address the worst-case scenario as the Hacienda Luisita case concluded Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres Jr. of the Army’s 3rd Mechanized Battalion based in Tarlac said that they were “continuously monitoring” activities by protesters, whom he referred to as “noisy minority.”

“This is not our primary responsibility but we are supporting the Philippine National Police on any eventuality,” he said.

“As we await the actual distribution of the land, we hope the parties involved will keep calm,” he added.

The disputed sugar plantation is owned by the clan of President Benigno Aquino III.