About
LandWatch-Philippines is an advocacy blog on access to land affecting the farmers, indigenous people, fisherfolks and forest dwellers in the Philippines.
Sponsored Links
Recent Post
- CBCP to Monitor CARPer Implementation
- PDI Editorial: CARPER, Right or Wrong (081009)
- PAKISAMA: CARPER is better CARP
- CARPER Principal Author Snobs Signing of Law
- PGMA to Sign CARPER Bill in Bulacan
- F. Sionil Jose: Our Murdered Peasants
- Walden Bello: CARPER--Latest Episode in the Battle for Agrarian Reform
- Case Unclosed: Multisectoral Fact Finding Mission for Ka Rene
- Sun Star: Slain militant leader laid to rest
- CODE-NGO: Mourning a Great Loss, Honoring a Great Man
- Inquirer: Nonviolent struggle ends in murder
- Gang Badoy Interview: What Was Ka Rene Like?
- DLSU-CoNIC: Ka Rene, Tuloy po ang Laban!
- Ernesto Ordonez: Murdering Farmer Leaders
- CBCP News: Groups to hold mass for Ka Rene at ADDU’s chapel tomorrow
Links
Fact-finding mission disputes police suspect on Peñas murder
Tuesday, June 9, 2009The police investigation on the death of Sumilao farmer Renato Peñas contains too many suspicious “facts” according to a fact-finding mission conducted by legal group Balaod Mindanaw last Saturday.
CBCP News: Rosales calls for justice for slain Sumilao leader
MANILA, June 8, 2009—Manila Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales has called on authorities to do everything to solve the killing of the leader of Sumilao farmers who was brutally murdered before midnight Friday.
Ka Rene Penas, 51, who led the Sumilao farmers in a 1,700-kilometer walk from Bukidnon to Manila in 2007 to press for the return of their land, was riding a motorcycle home with two other farmers when he was slain.
Pandayan’s Statement on Ka Rene’s Treacherous Death
CBCP News: Cagayan Prelate Urges Government to Resolve Swiftly Killing of Sumilao Farmer Leader
Monday, June 8, 2009CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 8, 2009—Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D., yesterday urged government officials especially law enforcement authorities to act swiftly in bringing to the bar of justice the killers of Renato “Ka Rene” Peñas.
“Ginahangyo nako ang mga (I am asking the) local government officials to give special attention to this case because Ka Rene is a national figure now because of his stand for agrarian reform. Now that CARP has been extended, the more we should show that the leaders of farmers organizations that are pushing for carp should also be secured,” he told CBCPNews.
Task Force Mapalad on Ka Rene: Pag-alabin ang Damdamin, Pasidhiin ang Panawagan para sa Repormang Agraryo
Isa na namang buhay ng nakikibakang magsasaka ang inutang ng mga kaaway ng repormang agraryo.
Si Ka Rene Peñas, kasama ang dalawa pang magsasaka, ay pauwi na sa kanilang bahay sakay ng motorsiklo nang sila ay tambangan ng dalawang di kilalang lalaki at pinaputukan ng shotgun dakong alas-onse ng gabi noong Biyernes, Hunyo 5.
Focus on Global South: Pahayag ng Pakiisa para sa Katarungan kay Ka Rene!
Mariing ikinokondena ng Focus on the Global South ang walang awa at walang saysay na pagpatay kay Ka Rene Peñas, lider magbubukid at paralegal mula sa Sumilao, Bukidnon noong Biyernes, ika-5 ng Hunyo.
Lubos ang aming galit at hinagpis dahil nalagasan na naman ang hanay ng mga magbubukid ng isang lider na nagtataguyod ng kanilang karapatan, lalo na ang karapatan ng mga katutubo at manggagawang bukid sa Mindanao. Saksi kami sa katapangan at kagitingan ni Ka Rene—isa siya sa mga naglakad nang mahigit 1,700 kilometro mula Sumilao hanggang Maynila upang igiit at ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan sa lupa.
Go Organic Mindanao Condemns Killing of Ka Rene
|
The Go Organic Mindanao strongly condemns the dastardly killing of Renato Penas, farmer-leader of the Sumilao Farmers in Bukidnon who was treacherously shot last June 5 at almost midnight while going home from the collective farm recently awarded them after more than a decade of struggle under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). He was ambushed and murdered by assassins who pumped at least eight bullets to his body.
Balaod Mindanaw Fact-Finding Team on the Death of Ka Rene PenasSunday, June 7, 2009REPORT OF THE BALAOD-MINDANAW FACTFINDING TEAM 06 June 2009
(The following report is the result of the Fact-Finding Mission on the brutal killing of farmer-leader Rene Peñas conducted by the lawyers of BALAOD-Mindanaw last June 6-7, 2009. The Fact-Finding Team interviewed some members of the family of Ka Rene, an actual witness of the crime, and an alleged suspect of the case.)
I. NARRATION OF EVENTS
a. Narration of Evangeline Peñas, Noland Peñas and Gerry Merida
At around 11:30 am, we arrived at the residence of Manong Rene Peñas situated along the national highway in Barangay, San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon, where we met his family. We talked to his wife Evangeline, his son Noland, and his nephew Gerry Merida.
In the course of our interview with them, they narrated that Manong Rene and his two other companions (Elizer Peñas and Samson Dollete) were ambushed at around 11:45 pm while they were on their way to the farm to take Mr. Dollete to his house which is situated just near Nong Rene’s farm.
We were also informed that in the morning of June 5, 2009, Manong Rene attended the barangay committee hearing on the amendments of barangay ordinances held in the barangay hall. Together with other barangay officials, he took his lunch at the barangay elementary school where the teachers were having a “despedida” party for their fellow teacher who was leaving the school and at the same time a welcome to the teacher replacing her.
At around 3:00 pm, he went home to get dressed to go to Kisolon to buy poultry feeds and supply of rice for the family. He brought the feeds to his farm house. Noland said that he was at the farm house when Rene arrived there. Noland also narrated that from the farm house, he proceeded to the store of Neneng where he drank Tanduay with Elizer Peñas and Samson Dollete at around 5-6pm.
Bro. Eddie Denounces Killing of Sumilao Farmer LeaderBecause of some unscrupulous people’s unspeakable greed, a wife and her four children are now without the head of their family, fearful and uncertain about their future. Their beloved, Ka Rene Penas, a leader and a paralegal for the Sumilao farmers, was brutally murdered by still unknown assailants at about 11:45pm of June 5 while on a motorcycle with two others, Eliezer Penas and Samson Villete. These two men survived, but it seems the story of Ka Rene’s slaying would not stand a chance of being heard. For one, the two witnesses did not see and therefore could not describe who attacked them; Sumilao was cloaked in absolute darkness when the assault happened. For another, this kind of case usually gets thrown into a basket labeled “unimportant and insignificant.”
Kaya Natin Leaders Condemn Killing of Sumilao Farmer LeaderWe, the leaders of Kaya Natin!, a national movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership strongly condemn the brutal killing of Sumilao Farmer and PAKISAMA leader Rene Penas. Ka Rene, as he is fondly called by his friends and fellow farmers, has been one of those who have consistently been at the forefront of pushing for the Extenstion and Reform of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARPER) and was one of those who led the recent Sumilao Farmer March from Bukidnon to Manila.
Liberal Party President Mar Roxas Condemns Killing of Sumilao Farmer-LeaderLiberal President Senator Mar Roxas today condemned the ambush-slay of a famer-leader in Sumilao, Bukidnon and called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
“Mariin kong kinukondena ang walang-saysay na pagpatay sa lider-magsasakang si Rene Penas, na buong tapang na ipinaglaban ang mga karapatan ng ating mga magsasaka, lalo na ang kanyang mga kasamahang Sumilao farmers,” he said following reports that Penas, a long-time member of the Akbayan people’s group, was killed by a still unidentified man late Friday night. Penas was shot by a hired assassin at around 11 p.m. Friday while bringing home his farm caretaker. Penas, also a paralegal, has been actively fighting for farmers’ rights in Sumilao. He is a strong advocate of reforms in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) law and was among the hundreds of farmers and farm workers pushing for an extension of the program for another 5 years.
Bro. Eddie Denounces Killing of Sumilao Farmer LeaderBecause of some unscrupulous people’s unspeakable greed, a wife and her four children are now without the head of their family, fearful and uncertain about their future. Their beloved, Ka Rene Penas, a leader and a paralegal for the Sumilao farmers, was brutally murdered by still unknown assailants at about 11:45pm of June 5 while on a motorcycle with two others, Eliezer Penas and Samson Villete. These two men survived, but it seems the story of Ka Rene’s slaying would not stand a chance of being heard. For one, the two witnesses did not see and therefore could not describe who attacked them; Sumilao was cloaked in absolute darkness when the assault happened. For another, this kind of case usually gets thrown into a basket labeled “unimportant and insignificant.”
Alliance of Progressive Labor: Honoring Ka Rene, Stopping Political Killings!The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly killing of Ka Rene Peñas as well as the attempted murder of his two companions. Ka Rene and two of his colleagues were on their way home when they were ambushed by at least two shotgun-wielding murderers. He died on the spot after sustaining 11 gunshot wounds – three on his chest that exited on his back and eight all over his arms. Fortunately, his two companions, though injured, managed to escape.
Coming at a time when the farmers have just succeeded in forcing the House of Representatives to adopt a bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law with reforms, this dastardly act once again reminds us all how far these parasitic and indolent landlords are willing to go to defend their selfish interests!
Howie Severino: Ka Rene’s long walk to justice ended violently last night.Saturday, June 6, 2009
One of the land reform movement’s most charismatic leaders, Rene Peñas, 51, was assassinated last night in Sumilao, Bukidnon as he was returning home from yet another farmers’ meeting about land. The assassin is still at large.
AKBAYAN: Ka Rene Is The Gentle Giant of Agrarian JusticeWe in AKBAYAN condemn the murder of Ka Rene Peñas, leader of the Sumilao farmers, who was gunned down last June 5, 2009 while he was on his way to his farm in San Vicente, Sumilao by two unknown assailants. His assassination is the basest form of cowardice. Ka Rene stood tall in his passion for the rights of farmers, and he has never resorted to violence in his quest for justice. When the Sumilao farmers were reclaiming their land, he joined his fellow farmers in a hunger strike and, a decade later, endured and led a long walk from Sumilao to Manila to demand justice from the government. After the victory of the Sumilao farmers, he led another group of farmers from Banasi, Camarines Sur, in yet another walk by farmers searching for agrarian justice.
PAKISAMA: Justice to Ka Rene Penas, Justice to All Filipino Farmers!PAKISAMA condemns in strongest possible terms the dastardly and cowardly assassination of our leader, Renato Penas (51) last night, around 11 P.M., while on his motorcycle with two companions to his farm in San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon.
GMA News: Lider ng Sumilao farmers itinumba! MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Pinagbabaril hanggang mapatay nitong Biyernes ang isa sa mga lider ng mga magsasaka sa Sumilao, Bukidnon na nagmartsa patungo sa Maynila noong 2007 upang igiit ang kanilang karapatan sa lupa na kanilang sinasaka.
Ayon kay Senior Police Officer 4 Rey Vasquez, hepe ng Sumilao police station, tinambangan ng mga hindi nakilalang suspek si Rene Peñas, 51-anyos, habang pauwi na ito sa bahay kasama ang dalawang iba pa.
CBCP News: Sumilao farmer leader gunned deadCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 6, 2009—The leader of the Sumilao Farmers, who walked 1,700 kilometers from Bukidnon to Manila in 2007, was shot dead before midnight Friday. Ka Rene Penas, 51, a barangay kagawad of San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon, was on a motorcycle with two other farmers on their way home when they were shot by still unknown assailants. Ka Rene was hit in the left chest while his companions identified as Eliezer Peñas and Samson Dollete were also injured in the shooting.
Balaod Mindanaw: Condemnation of the Senseless and Brutal Murder of Sumilao Farmer-LeaderKa Rene was a firm believer and advocate for farmers rights and agrarian reform. However, even in the m ost desperate moments of Ka Rene’s struggle to reclaim their land in Sumilao, Bukidnon, not once did he consider violence. Even when he stood face-to-face with the armed goons of their rich landlord he never considered lifting a finger in retaliation and meet violence with violence. Instead Ka Rene opted to take active non-violent means even if these meant making painful and difficult sacrifices such as the 28-day hunger strike in 1997 and the 1,700-kilometer walk from Sumilao to Manila in 2007.
UNORKA-PEACE: Hustisya para kay Ka Rene Peñas!Taos-pusong nakikiramay ang UNORKA-Pilipinas at PEACE Foundation, Inc. sa mga naulila ni Ka Rene Peñas, na walang awang pinaslang kahapon (Biyernes, ika-5 ng Hunyo 2009) ng mga di-kilalang lalaki habang si Ka Rene at dalawang kasamahan ay sakay ng motorsiklo.
Reuters: Gunmen kill farmers’ leader in Philippine southMANILA, June 6 (Reuters) - Gunmen killed a leader of a large farmers’ group pushing for agrarian reform on a southern island in the Philippines, local police said on Saturday.
Rene Penas and two companions were on their way to a farm in Bukidnon province on Mindanao island when two men blocked their motorcyle and opened fire on them with shotguns late on Friday, Rey Vasquez, police chief in Sumilao town, told reporters.
Atty. Bobbie Sta. Maria: Pinatay nila si Nong Rene!Sorry ha, pero tang ina.
Basahin niyo na lang sa diyaryo at sa e-mail kung gano kagaling na lider siya, basta totoo lahat ‘yon. ‘Yung itsura niya sa mga litrato na matapang, maginoo at regal, true to life ‘yon.
AR Now Statement: Justice for Ka Rene, Long Live the Peasant Struggle!
The People’s Campaign for Agrarian Reform Network (AR Now!) expressed its condemnation in the strongest terms possible the brutal killing of one of its leading member, Ka Rene Peñas, who was brutally killed last night, June 5, on his way home in Sumilao, Bukidnon. We join other agrarian reform advocates, farmers’ groups, family members, friends and acquaintances in urging the local and national authorities to ensure immediate investigation and the arrest of the suspects in the killing of Ka Rene for justice to be served.
PKSK/Katarungan Statement on the Killing of Ka Rene Penas
The Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK) and the Kilusan Para sa Repormang Panakahan at Katarungang Panlipunan (KATARUNGAN), speaking both as individual national federations and as the AKBAYAN PEASANT CAUCUS, condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of Sumilao farmer-leader Ka Rene Penas that took place last night, 11:00 pm while he was on his way home to Sumilao, Bukidnon.
Akbayan Youth: Paalam, Tatay Rene!Pasasalamat sa isa sa aming mga magigiting na ama na walang pagkukubling namuno at nanindigan para sa agraryong pangreporma. Pagpupugay para sa aming kasamang imortal sa esensya ng pakikibaka para sa katarungang panlipunan. Mula sa hanay ng kabataan, baon-baon namin hanggang sa kinabukasan at hanggang sa dulo ng ating laban ang malinaw at puno ng inspirasyong mukha at pagtindig ng isa sa mga magsasakang buong tapang at buong pusong lumaban para sa amin. Mananatiling buhay sa aming kasayasayan ang pag-ibig at pakikibaka ni Ka Rene. Mananatiling buhay ang aming pangarap na tulad din ng inilabang mithiin ni Ka Rene. Mananatiling buhay si Tatay Rene sa puso ng bawat kabataang naging bahagi ng pakikibakang ito at magiging bahagi ng patuloy na pakikibakang ito.
Sa kabila ng nadaramang kalungkutan at galit, kasabay nito ang damdaming nagsusumigaw ng pananatili at pagpapatuloy ng martsang sinimulan, ng lakad patungo sa ating pangarap. Buong karangalan naming iluluha ang kalungkutang ito kasabay ng taas noong pagbandila ng iyong karangalan. Salamat sa iyo Tatay Rene. Katarungan at pagpupugay para sa iyo kasama. Ikaw ay bayani at inspirasyon sa puso ng mga kabataan.
Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello: Ka Rene Was A People’s Hero!I join my colleague Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros in condemning in the strongest terms the murder of Akbayan farmer leader Rene Penas, a man who dedicated his life to the struggle of his fellow farmers. We urge the local authorities of Sumilao to quickly investigate the matter and identify and arrest suspects in the killing of this brave peasant leader. Ka. Rene was a central figure in the battle for land reform, which resulted in Congress’ passing the measure to extend CARP (CARPER) earlier this week. His leadership, which has inspired so many people supporting agrarian reform, will be sorely missed. He was a people’s hero, in the best sense of the word. Ka. Rene’s struggle for the rights of farmers and peasants will go on, undeterred by such acts of initimidation and violence perpetrated by landed interests and their allies in and out of government.
Leah Navarro: Go with God, Ka Rene.Renato Penas, Sumilao famer and a leading member of PAKISAMA, is dead. He, a relative and a friend were ambushed last night on the way to the piece of land he tilled all his life in Sumilao, Bukidnon. His companions are wounded, but Ka Rene will never see another harvest again. He was only 51.
Vin Dancel (Peryodiko): Hustisya para kay ka Rene Peñas!i met ka rene in 1998. i just came back from finishing the bar exams to work for SALIGAN. a year before, the Sumilao farmers held a 28 day hunger strike in CDO and the DAR head office to protest the cancellation of their CLOAs. he was one of the hunger strikers. when i was appointed handling lawyer for the Sumilao campaign in 1999 (we were camped out at the DAR, then at the Supreme Court that time), he was my constant companion. he and the farmers never wavered. not once. not even when we eventually lost in court because the supreme court decided, insisted, on a technicality. no, they did not stop.
GMA News: Sumilao farmer leader gunned down MALAYBALAY CITY, Philippines – One of the farmer activists who walked all the way from Sumilao, Bukidnon in Mindanao to Manila in 2007 to seek justice was shot dead Friday midnight, police and his family said Saturday.
Rene Peñas, 51, and two others were riding a motorcycle on their way home when they were fired at by an unidentified assailant using a shotgun, said SPO4 Rey Vasquez, acting police chief of Sumilao town.
Inquirer: Sumilao Farmer SlainMALAYBALAY CITY — A Sumilao farmer leader died midnight of Friday after he and two others were fired at with a shotgun while driving a motorcyle on his way home to drop off his farm caretaker to his house. Renato Peñas, 51, was hit on his abdomen as he slowed down to maneuver his motorcyle in a muddy and slippery track. His two other companions, Eliezer Peñas and Samson Doliete, were shot in the shoulder and shank respectively.
Inquirer: Congress to hold bicam on CARP next weekFriday, June 5, 2009MANILA, Philippines—The Senate and the House of Both chambers approved the CARP bills this week that would give five more years to the government’s agrarian reform program. But they differ in a number of provisions, including the funding for the program with the House setting aside P100 billion, while the Senate allocating P147 billion.
GMANews: Bicam meet on CARP extension bill set next week MANILA, Philippines - A bicameral conference committee is set to meet next week to discuss and reconcile the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program five-year extension bill.
Senator Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on agrarian reform, said he and his counterpart, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, agreed to conduct the joint congressional committee meeting Monday or Tuesday.
Inquirer: No fireworks as House gives nod to CARPMANILA, Philippines - With no heated and lengthy debates that marked previous deliberations, members of the so-called landlord bloc in the House of Representatives posed no objections to the passage of a bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), mainly because of amendments that were introduced to address their concerns. The measure, passed on the third and final reading, would extend CARP for five more years and provide it with P100 billion for land acquisition and distribution.
Powered by WordPress .::. Designed by SiteGround Web
Hosting.
|
