Presidential bets urged: Grant genuine land reforms

MANILA, Philippines - A farmers’ group marked the 29th anniversary of the Mendiola massacre yesterday by appealing to presidential candidates to vow “genuine land distribution in haciendas and plantations” in the country.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas poised the “challenge” to all the candidates, except Manuel Roxas II and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

“We are challenging the three presidential frontrunners –  Jejomar Binay, Grace Poe, and Rodrigo Duterte – on the genuine distribution of Hacienda Luisita and other vast landholdings such as the Araneta estate in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Rodriguez, Rizal owned by the relatives of Mar Roxas,” KMP chairperson Rafael Mariano said.

The Supreme Court in 2012 ordered the distribution of all agricultural lands in Hacienda Luisita, which used to be entirely owned by President Aquino’s relatives.

“The challenge for Binay, Poe, and Duterte is to reverse the Department of Agrarian Reform’s fake distribution scheme that was designed to displace the farm workers and divide their ranks,” Mariano said.

KMP secretary general Antonio Flores said that “up to now, no presidential bet has categorically declared support for genuine land reform.”

Mariano said that “29 years ago, genuine land reform was the very same demand aired by farmers to the then administration of Corazon Aquino.”

On Jan. 22, 1987, farmers marched to Malacañang but when they reached the foot of Mendiola Bridge, anti-riot personnel from the police and military opened fire on them, killing 14 and leaving 80 others wounded.