28 arrested in rally near Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - Manila police officers arrested 28 protesters who staged a rally yesterday to urge Malacañang to implement reforms in the agriculture sector.

The protesters – seven men and 21 women – claimed to belong to the farmers’ group Task Force Mapalad. They ranged in age from 32 to 70 for the men and 42 to 65 for the women.

They were charged with holding a rally without a permit, obstructing the flow of traffic, and for being half-naked.

Several of the arrested farmers were wearing surgical masks with a message written “Complete CARPER- Task Force Mapalad.” CARPER stands for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms.

According to Alberto Jaime, 48, of Negros Occidental, he and other farmers marched from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office in Quezon City to Malacañang and arrived near the Palace around 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

Jaime said thousands of farmers came from Negros Occidental, Mindanao, Batangas and Davao to call on President Aquino to immediately order the implementation of CARPER and the immediate distribution of land to the farmers. Most of the farmers have been farming lands of landowners for more than 15 years.

Jaime said they spent about P1,350 each of their own money just to buy a ticket for sea travel just to get to Manila and try to talk to Aquino. He said they would not return to the provinces if their demands are not met.