FILE PHOTO/CBCP-NASSA
MANILA, Philippines—Farmers tilling the Hacienda Luisita, owned by President Benigno Aquino III’s family, on Friday filed a string of criminal charges against his relatives and several others for alleged abuses committed against them in the sprawling tracts of land owned by the Cojuangcos.
Members of Ambala (Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Asyenda Luisita) on Friday filed before the Department of Justice a total of 41 criminal complaints against the President’s sister Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, uncle Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., board members of the Tarlac Development Corporation, former Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres, Tarlac Provincial Police Director Alex Sintin and former Tarlac City police chief Bayani Razalan.
The complaints of attempted murder, arson, child abuse, physical injuries, illegal arrest and arbitrary detention, theft, robbery and malicious mischief were filed for alleged incidents of harassment against Luisita farmers in recent months, said Ambala counsel Jobert Pahilga.
Malacanang, however, challenged the farmers’ group to show evidence against the President’s relatives or else their complaint would merely be a “smear” campaign against the Chief Executive.
“Given the range of crimes being alleged, the accusers must prove all of their accusations with evidence that will withstand legal scrutiny. Otherwise, it is a mere attempt to smear the President through his relatives and will clearly be a PR stunt,” presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message.
The farmers’ complaints make up the third batch of cases the Luisita farmers filed against their landlords; the two remain pending and have not progressed.
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