Central Luzon farmers march to Clark Asean meet

Central Luzon farmers marched on Tuesday (Oct. 24) to the Clark Freeport to condemn the killings of 91 peasants since President Rodrigo Duterte started his term in 2016. Clark is hosting a meeting of defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Duterte was scheduled to visit Clark on Tuesday afternoon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ANGELES CITY — Condemning the deaths of 91 farmers under the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, 700 farmers from various parts of the Central Luzon region marched on Tuesday to the Clark Freeport, which is hosting an Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers assembly.

Policemen wielding shields and batons stopped members of the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) from reaching the Clark main gate at about 11 a.m.

Mr. Duterte was scheduled to grace the retirement of Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina at the Air Force City in Clark at 2 p.m. before making a courtesy call to the Asean secretary general and defense ministers at 5 p.m.

Speaking at a brief rally there, AMGL chair Joseph Canlas said President Duterte failed to fulfill his promise to implement genuine agrarian reform and improve the lot of poor farmers.

The protesters also criticized Mr. Duterte for selling out the country to “imperialist countries,” and ended their demonstration by burning the President’s photograph. They proceeded to join a caravan of farmers headed for Quezon City. /je