Inquirer: Farmers met with water cannons at House gate

MANILA, Philippines – Security personnel at the House of Representatives fired water cannons at a group of farmers that was pressing for the passage of a bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) late Monday afternoon.

The protesters, which number around 1,000 according to an estimate from the Akbayan partylist, were massed at the South Gate of the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

The water hit Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and several nuns who were with the farmers. Pabillo and the nuns were later allowed inside for the session.

The protesters included farmers from Sumilao in Bukidnon province, Calatagan in Batangas province, and Banasi in Camarines Sur province.

The group was pushing for House Bill 4077, authored by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman and Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros Baraquel, which seeks reforms in the 21-year-old CARP.

On Friday, a separate group of farmers, who were camped out at the South Gate, were dispersed with truncheons and water cannons. They were pressing for the passage of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB).