Luisita farmers to march from Tarlac to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) yesterday announced plans to march from Hacienda Luisita to Manila starting tomorrow to demand the implementation of a Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution of about 5,000 hectares of the sugar plantation owned by President Aquino’s family.

Dubbed as “Lakbayan para sa Libreng Pamamahagi ng Lupa sa Hacienda Luisita,” more than 200 farm workers led by the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) and the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) will march from San Miguel, Tarlac to San Fernando, Pampanga tomorrow until Thursday.

On Friday, the farmworkers will hold a caravan from San Fernando to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office in Quezon City.

On Saturday, the farmworkers will directly air their demands to President Aquino by proceeding to the Aquino residence at Times Street before marching to Mendiola.

“Every step is a step forward for the free distribution of Hacienda Luisita. Our struggle continues,” said ULWU chairman Lito Bais.

“It’s been a year since the Supreme Court decided with finality the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to farm workers, but all we witnessed are pro-landlord maneuvers by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Aquino’s relatives to strengthen their control over the lands,” Bais said.