Farmers and indigenous peoples protest outside President Benigno Aquino III’s house in Times St., Quezon City. Photo contributed by Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA).
MANILA, Philippines – Groups of farmers and indigenous peoples from Hacienda Luisita and Mindanao denounced the violent confrontation in front of President Benigno Aquino III’s house on Times Street, Quezon City on Saturday morning.
“A peaceful program had just ended when the police suddenly violently dispersed the protesters…Some were hit in the knees and fainted while one was hit in the throat and had to be rushed to the hospital,” the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) said in a statement.
The group denied reports that policemen were hurt in the commotion and that the dispersal was justified.
Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, told INQUIRER.net that at least three people from Mindanao were injured in the dispersal.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general Antonio Flores was also arrested.
As of posting time, the group was still in Camp Karingal, the headquarters of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), awaiting the charges that will be filed against Flores.
Meanwhile, the protester who was hit on the neck remains at the emergency room of the East Avenue Medical Center.
Palabay said they received information that Malacanang ordered the arrest of the protesters.
“We think this is a bitter response of Malacanang to the concrete and legitimate concerns of farmers and indigenous peoples,” she said.
Hacienda Luisita farmers, together with lumad from Mindanao calling for the end of military campaigns in the region, marched to Times St. on Saturday morning to protest against human rights violations and militarization in rural communities.
Palabay said the group, which was in Metro Manila for the “Manilakbayan” campaign, was about to leave the area when members of the QCPD went after them. She acknowledged that the participants marked walls with paint as part of their protest action.
Saturday marked the group’s deadline for Aquino to answer their demands, which include the pull-out of the military in Mindanao, the dropping of trumped-up charges against their leaders and the rendering of justice against victims of forced evacuation and other human rights violations in militarized areas.
Florida Sibayan, among those who were injured in the 2004 shooting at the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita, said they have long been calling for justice.
“And now they violently disperse us even if we are just peacefully airing our grievances,” she said.
Participants of the Manilakbayan will remain in Metro Manila until December 10, International Human Rights Day.