DAVAO CITY, June 13, 2009—A mass will be offered by members of the non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organization and religious to Ka Renato “Rene” Peñas, vice-president of the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), who was gunned down last June 6, Friday night by unidentified assassins while he was on his way home to Sumilao, Bukidnon.

Ka Rene who sustained 11 gunshot wounds on his body died as a martyr for the poor especially among the Sumilao farmers. A mass will be offered at 4:30 in the afternoon tomorrow at the Ateneo de Davao University Chapel.

A short tribute will be held shortly thereafter, courtesy of the Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA).

In a statement sent to CBCPNews, it stated, “Ka Rene is the fallen leader of the Mapalad farmers from Sumilao Bukidnon. He and the other Sumilao farmers walked from Bukidnon to Manila to press for the revocation of the conversion order over the land which they have been tilling.”

“The was also for the extension and reform of the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP). The campaign was successful, and the bill extending CARP is now being deliberated in the congressional bicameral conference committee,” it added.

Prior to his death, Ka Rene’s last text was “Panalo na tayo” (We have won) to his family, friends, fellow farmer–activists when he heard the news that the House of Representative has passed the bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARPER.

“Ka Rene was part of these struggles, and if not for human rights defenders like him, these victories might not have happened,” the statement ended. (Mark S. Ventura)