Ernesto Ordonez: Murdering Farmer Leaders

Saturday, June 13, 2009

LAST June 10, I spoke to Noland Peñas at the wake of his father, Ka Rene, leader of the Sumilao farmers and recently elected vice president of Pambansang Kilusan ng Samahang Magsasaka (Pakisama).

Pakisama is one of the 44 federations and organizations that constitute the Alyansa Agrikultura, which has a unanimously approved agri-fishery agenda with special focus on small farmers and fisherfolk.

 

A key item in this agenda is the fast tracking of agrarian reform, with government providing the necessary agriculture support services. These support services have long been inadequate, and are a major cause of the failure of agrarian reform in many areas. It is this agrarian reform advocacy that Peñas lived and died for.

Systematic pattern

During our conversation, Noland told me that there appeared to be a systematic pattern of murdering Pakisama-affiliated organization heads fighting for agrarian reform.

Last November, Vicente Paglinawan of Miedeco in Davao City was killed. Then in February, Boy Villanes of Samatico in South Cotabato was murdered. Six days ago, Rene Peñas of Palambu was mercilessly shot seven times in Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon.

Miedeco, Samatico and Palambu are all Pakisama organizations and part of Alyansa Agrikultura. The entire Alyansa Agrikultura membership condemns Peñas’ killing in the strongest possibly terms.

Cry for justice

The murder of the heads of three Pakisama organizations is only in addition to many more farmer leaders who were killed fighting for justice. The fight is not over. Right in Sumilao, fear and panic have gripped the community as two more farmer leaders – Toto Merida and Allan Puerto – have been receiving this text message: “Kayo na ang susunod kay Ka Rene” (You will be [killed] next to Ka Rene).

To make matters worse, Noland reported to us that Alipio Tumangday, another farmer, might be framed for his father’s death. Noland said, “My father and Tumangday are good friends. We often pass by his house.”

Lawyer Normie Batula of Balaod Mindanao has been conducting an independent investigation on this murder. The group was asked by military personnel to put Samson Dollete, who was wounded in the attack on Peñas, in their custody. Batula said, “Should Dollete identify Tumangday as the killer, police will consider the case closed.”

It is feared that Dollete might be pressured to render false testimony while under military custody. Noland said that after his father was shot, the wounded Dollete was still able to crawl to the Peñas residence. When Noland asked Dollete who the killers were, Dollete responded: “It was very dark. I did not recognize who shot at us.”

Immediate investigation

Pakisama president Crispin Aguelo says, “We urge the national PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation [NBI] to step into the investigation of Ka Rene’s killing. We want to know who the mastermind is, and the motive behind this cowardly act of silencing a man who has served many landless farmers own the land that they till.”

Two days ago, Vicente Fabe, Pakisama chairman and concurrent Alyansa Agrikultura vice president for Luzon, proposed a resolution for a similar speedy and just investigation of the Penas’ murder at the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC).

It is to the credit of NAFC, which has not met for one year and five months, that at their reinvigorated meeting, they unanimously agreed with this resolution with the full backing of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap. This resolution should be given to all relevant government agencies and officials.

Carper bill

It is symbolic that last June 9, when Peñas’ remains arrived in Manila, the Senate-House of Representatives Bicameral Conference Committee also approved the consolidated version of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform (Carper) bill.

This bill, which Peñas fought so hard for, is hoped to be ratified on July 27, the day when the State of the Nation Address (Sona) will be given.

But many things can happen before then. More farmer leaders advocating agrarian reform extension with reform can be killed. Justice may not be given, not only to the three Pakisama organization heads mentioned here who were murdered in the last few months, but also to several other farmers who have been killed only because they advocated justice for the farmers.

It is important that nothing between now and July 27 derails Carper from becoming a law. The investigation on the Peñas’ case should also be done objectively and speedily, with the perpetrators brought to justice. This way, those who have killed farmer leaders and plan to murder even more will realize this: Their dastardly acts will be no match to the purity of commitment to agrarian justice symbolized by Peñas’ life and death.

(The author is chair of Agriwatch, former secretary for presidential flagship programs and projects, and former undersecretary for agriculture, and trade and industry. For inquiries and suggestions, e-mail agriwatchphil@yahoo.com or telefax (02) 8522112.)