Slay attempt on farmer mars int’l rights day

PORAC, Pampanga, Philippines - – Amid the observance of the International Human Rights Day, unidentified armed men shot and wounded a farmer-leader opposing the alleged land-grabbing in Hacienda Dolores in this town yesterday.

Modesto Posadas of the Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Hacienda Dolores (Aniban), a group opposing big firms driving farmers out of their farmlands, was shot at about 7:30 a.m.  at the SCTEX Interchange, according to Joseph Canlas, president of the Alyansang Magbubkid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL).

Canlas and other farmers’ groups condemned the incident as he recalled that last Dec. 6,  another farmer-leader of the Aniban, Jessel Orgas, was wounded when undidentified men lobbed a grenade at his home in Hacienda Dolores.

He expressed belief that the incidents were related to the claim on the lands in the hacienda by companies he identified as the LHI-Leonardo Lachenal Leonio Holdings, Inc. (LHI), the FL Property Management Corp. (FL PMC) and the Ayala Land.

He said the companies are allegedly planning to convert 1,000 hectares of farmlands into a housing project.

Canlas said a fact-finding and solidarity mission which looked into the Hacienda Dolores case noted  26 cases of destruction and divestment of properties of farmers, a case of mass arrest and illegal detention of 12 farmers, two separate harassment cases and intimidation.

The report also confirmed that Aetas who have been living in the contested lands were allegedly pressured into signing a waiver.                

The Aniban said Hacienda Dolores belongs to them under land reform.