Farmers urge Noy to distribute Hacienda lands

ANGELES CITY ,Philippines  – Farmer-leaders of Hacienda Luisita called yesterday on President Aquino’s family to heed Catholic church authorities and withdraw moves to hold back the distribution of lands to farmers.

In a joint statement yesterday, the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) and the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) said the Cojuangco-Aquino family, has continued to defy recognition of farm workers as the legitimate owners of the hacienda despite the Supreme Court order on Nov. 22 last year.

“The church people have deeply felt our hardships at the hands of the Cojuangco-Aquinos,” read the statement.

“They believed that the decades-old exploitation and oppression of the Cojuangco-Aquinos resulted in our present poverty and hunger.”

Felix Nacpil Jr., Ambala chairman, urged Aquino to listen and follow the Catholic Church’s call to distribute Hacienda Luisita.

“We praise them (CBCP officials) for their courage and commitment to help us in our struggle to push Aquino and his family to immediately distribute Hacienda Luisita,” he said.

Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairman, said the Supreme Court has ordered the distribution of the remaining 4,915 hectares of agricultural lands in Hacienda Luisita.

“But on Dec. 19, the Cojuangco-Aquinos filed their motion for clarification and reconsideration of the decision, thus confirming their intent to preserve their control over the hacienda or at least rake up money by seeking higher and prohibitive compensation for land distribution,” he said.

“More and more sectors in our society are becoming aware of the moral and just side of the Hacienda Luisita issue.

“The Catholic church has made her stand on the side of the farm workers in their struggle for social justice in the country.”

Canlas said the issue on Hacienda Luisita has become “a battle of good versus evil.”

“President Aquino continues to act as the warden of Cojuangco-Aquinos’ interests,” he said.

“He claims to lead the country, but could not lead his very own family into giving up the hacienda so that many small farm workers could benefit from land distribution.”

AMGL and Ambala urged Chief Justice Renato Corona to stick to the decision favoring the farm workers and ignore the administration’s political offensive through the impeachment trial.

“We, farm workers, have affirmed our fight for genuine agrarian reform, and no one can prevent us from cultivation as we are legitimate owners of Hacienda Luisita,” Nacpil said.