KMP condemns arrest of vice chair

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) on Friday condemned what it called the “illegal” arrest of one of its leaders in Quezon province and demanded for his release.

Citing initial reports, KMP said its vice chair Antonio “Ka Tony” Pajalla was arrested by armed elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the municipality of Macalelon in Quezon.

In a statement, KMP secretary general Antonio Flores said Pajalla’s last known whereabouts was at the Macalelon Municipal Hall, where the latter submitted solicitation letters for the regional assembly of the Coco Levy Fund Ibalik sa Amin movement next week.

Pajalla was appointed KMP vice chair last month.

Flores said Pajalla was able to contact his colleagues and said he would be brought to Gumaca town, but did not disclose his whereabouts.

“Pajalla, a long-time leader of the Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Magbubukid sa Quezon (Piglas), has led the coconut farmers of Quezon in their fight to recover the multibillion coco levy fund. In fact, coconut farmers of Quezon province are preparing to march to the Philippine Coconut Authority and Malacañang in Manila to demand the immediate return of the coco levy fund to farmers,” Flores said. YG