WHY is there no groundswell of support for these farmers? Did they really have a right to the land they are claiming or are they squatters who claim they are of indigenous ancestry and are entitled to the land?
Regardless of the nature of the claim the President should settle this now, give the peasants or pawns cash compensation from Pagcor [Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) or the PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office] just like she does the bishops, the knights, and the rooks.
This is a monumental game of chess and right now it is a stalemate, but the positions could change any minute and the game will be over.
– Alfonso DeMayo, Vancouver, Canada (via e-mail)
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March 20th, 2008 at 12:21 am
To Delos Reyes,
While, It is true that the farmers lost right to the land when its conversion was approved, that is NOT what the farmers are contesting. Quisumbing and SMFI failed to follow the conditions of the Supreme Court approved conversion order, giving the farmers right to re-claim the land.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
this is a democratic country. so every problem must be dealt democraticaly… equal rights. i understand the farmers’ situation but the supreme court still has the last decision. they are the law.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
DLR…see what i mean, when i suggested to you about ignoring BNG? i think her keys in her pc are dedicated to only a few letters/words…lies,damn, cofer(sic), robber, steal, etc…all nonsense.
so many politicians have added political color once again and rallied behind the farmers, without really studying this case…ang daming nakisakay! w/o even knowing the facts. i just hope they read your piece, one from a disinterested party.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Gloria Kawatan how about Cory Aquino’s Hacienda Luisita. Where farmers not only die from hunger but also from guns. These Hacienda Luisita farmers cant walk “million million” miles to demand the rights fort their lands, they are getting shot before they could even reach Hacienda Luisita’s gate. You should have another alias, aside from “Gloria Kawatan” try also “Cory Kriminal”
March 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
The letter writer from Canada asks a valid question. Do the Somilao farmers have a right to the Bukidnon land? Legally, they have lost it from the time the original owner of the land converted the estate into an agricultural-industrial zone. This is an option allowed under the CARP rules, provided the farmers will be employed, given jobs and assured of other benefits, and be part of the development program. The farmers refused; they want to own the land for themselves. Subsequently, for lack of funds, the landowner sold the 144-hectare farm to San Miguel Foods Inc. The farmers appealed to GMA for help. Fearing a backlash from the angry farmers and to appease them, GMA arbitrarily promised to recover the farm for them with the government paying full compensation for the capital investments already spent by SMFI. SMFI did not like the unilateral action taken by GMA and went to court.
Will the SMFI eventually give in and agree to let go of the farm? I doubt it. The fact that they brought the issue to court means they have no intention of giving up the farm. The farmers are in for the long haul and perhaps for nothing. Last I heard, SMFI offered to replace the farm with another somewhere in the area. That too was rejected by the farmers. What the farmers want is for GMA to use her presidential power to forcibly take the land from SMFI. GMA will have to declare martial law so she can do that.