Group sabotaging compromise on Sumilao?

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang officials expressed optimism yesterday that a compromise agreement between claimant farmers and San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) over a disputed 144-hectare land in Sumilao, Bukidnon would be forged anytime soon.

A top Palace official, who spoke on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak on the matter, however revealed last-ditch efforts by a group to sabotage the compromise agreement facilitated by some Catholic bishops.

The official said a non-government organization that is also giving legal assistance to the Sumilao farmers appears to be trying to block the agreement in the guise of protecting the claimants.

The source said the lawyers’ group has been receiving huge grants from an NGO in Europe that are supposed to continue until December.

With a compromise agreement looming, the grant, given in connection with the group’s work on the Sumilao case, is expected to be terminated.

The official, however, did not identify the lawyers’ group or the Europe-based NGO that has been extending the grants.

“That’s why this particular group of lawyers wants to make noise because their funds would be cut off if the (compromise) agreement would be signed,” the official claimed.

The same official said Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has been helping the Sumilao farmers in their effort to reclaim their land.

It was not clear how Malacañang reacted to SMFI’s petition last January after President Arroyo issued an executive order last December which placed the disputed land back under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Mrs. Arroyo earlier revoked a 1995 Malacañang order that converted the 144-hectare into agro-industrial use. The land was placed under CARP in 1994 but the 1995 Palace order allowed its owners, the Quisumbing family, to sell the property to SMFI.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita claimed he was not aware of the details of the compromise agreement or of reports that some groups are trying to sabotage it.

“All I can say is that we are very optimistic that the case would be finally resolved with this compromise to the satisfaction of all concerned,” Ermita said.

Reports said the agreement would have SMFI set aside some 50 hectares from the original property and over 90 hectares from an adjacent piece of land.

A farmers’ group headed by a militant lawmaker, on the other hand, warned the Sumilao claimants of the deal being brokered by Malacañang.

“The Sumilao farmers (should be) very wary of the deal with SMFI that is being brokered by Malacañang.  Our brother farmers should be careful that what happened last December would not be repeated,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, chairman of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

Mariano referred to the promise made by Mrs. Arroyo to return the disputed property to the farmers after they camped out in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) following their 60-day, 1,700-kilometer trek from Bukidnon last December.

Three months later, the Sumilao farmers are back in Manila, urging the government to make good on the promise made by Mrs. Arroyo to return the contested property to them.

“What Malacañang is trying to do is once again fool the farmers to return to Sumilao so that media attention would not be centered on the land issue,” Mariano said.

“If indeed SMFI is serious with the compromise agreement but at what price? What did (the President) promise (SMFI) for them to finally agree to a deal, when they even questioned it in the Supreme Court?” Mariano asked.

The KMP insisted the real solution to the problem of the Sumilao farmers and all farmers in general is to approve House Bill 3059 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB).

The KMP said the proposed measure would effectively uplift the lives of farmers.

Over the weekend, Peter Tuminhay, former chairman of the Mapalad Multipurpose Cooperative that comprises the first generation of Sumilao farmers, said they are expecting today the signing of an “agreement” that would settle the dispute over the 144-hectare property.

Tuminhay said they are confident that SMFI would honor its word of giving up the land to them “because they initiated the compromise agreement.”

Under the draft agreement, Tuminhay said SMFI would apportion 50 hectares from the original site, and 94 hectares from an adjacent piece of land owned by former Sumilao Mayor Rey Baula.

Negotiations with SMFI’s parent company, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), are reportedly set to resume today. – With Katherine Adraneda