MANILA, Philippines — Farmers who were arrested at Hacienda Tinang in Tarlac have asserted their rights to land through their own initiative, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said on Monday.
KMP chairman Danilo Ramos made the comment after Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Bernie Cruz appealed to “leftist” groups to not use farmers for their political agenda.
READ: After arrest of ‘Tinang 93,’ DAR asks groups to not use farmers for political agenda
When asked what groups were involved in the incident, Cruz said it was the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), which he claimed is an affiliate of KMP.
“Farmers initiative ‘yon to assert right nila sa lupa. Ang pahayag ni [Secretary] [B]ernie ay pag undermine sa [magsasaka], gusto nilang palabasin sinusulsulan [magsasaka],” Ramos told INQUIRER.net in a message, noting that UMA is a separate organization from KMP, but both are pushing to address farmers and agricultural workers’ concerns.
(It’s the farmers’ initiative to assert their rights to land. Secretary Bernie’s statement undermines farmers. They want to make it appear that farmers are being instigated.)
Ramos added that DAR is accountable for the slow distribution of land to farmers.
“May pananagutan ang DAR sa mabagal na action para ipamahagi lupa sa [magsasaka],” he said.
(DAR has liability for their slow action to distribute lands to farmers.)
According to Cruz, the 20-year land issue has been addressed only now, saying that they are just validating their report and may release a list of land beneficiaries within the week.
READ: Raps filed vs 83 farmers, supporters nabbed over Tarlac land dispute
Last week, 93 individuals — including farmers, foreigners, and student journalists — were arrested during a bungkalan or cooperative planting activity.