Groups reaffirm martyrs at Bantayog ng mga Bayani, vow to fight dictatorship

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) and Tanggol Magsasaka (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights) unveiled the names of 553 victims of extra-judicial killings (EJK) under the Arroyo regime and vowed to reaffirm the sacrifice of the martyrs listed at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani fighting a dictatorship.

“We affirm what our martyrs fought for during the Marcos dictatorship and we vow to fight any moves of the Arroyo government to install her authoritarian rule in the country,” said Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and Co-convenor of Tanggol Magsasaka.

“We are also unveiling our 553 peasant brothers and sisters who became victims of Arroyo’s fascist rule. In the countryside, martial law was never lifted, there is no protection of human rights, we are constantly being killed and hunted, our houses ransacked, our crops stolen and we have no freedom to express our sentiments,” added Flores.

The groups believe that with the Arroyo government’s effort for Charter Change, the series of bombings played up to create a condition justifying martial rule to benefit Arroyo of indefinite term. Also, this is to prevent massive protest on her approaching State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Arroyo’s SONA would definitely lies, she should report to the people how many peasants she and her military and police have killed,” Flores said.

“This government is an all-out anti-peasant, a fascist state, killing us one by one. The latest was our leader in Negros Oriental, Fermin Lorico, Chair of Kaugmaon (KMP Negros Oriental), who was killed right after their anti-Chacha rally on June 10 in Dumaguete City,” shared Flores.

Moreover, Tanggol Magsasaka reported that the number of victims of EJK coming from the peasantry has reached 18 this year. Lorico is also the 118th KMP leader to be killed and 553rd coming from the peasantry. Among KMP leaders who has been victim were Eddie Gumanoy of KASAMA-TK (KMP Southern Tagalog) and Renato Pacaide of KMP Far Southern Mindanao Region. Victim of enforced disappearance was Nilo Arado of PAMANGGAS (KMP Panay Region). The three were members of the National Council of KMP.

In addition, killed were Celso Pojas of FADC (KMP Davao City), Marcelino Beltran of AMT (KMP Tarlac) and Willy Jerus of KMP Bicol. Also still missing is Jonas Burgos of AMB (KMP Bulacan).

“This government has also imprisoned peasant leaders such as Randall Echanis, KMP Deputy Secretary-General for External Affairs and Felicidad Caparal of Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura,” added Flores.

“The killing of peasants is ceaseless under the Arroyo regime, thus, for us, we are under a dictatorship. We are calling on all freedom-loving Filipinos to support us in our call for justice for the victims and fight against the Arroyo dictatorship and Chacha,” Flores called.#