Farmers attempt to ‘occupy’ Luisita

Photo: Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines)/Facebook.com

An estimate of 700 members of the militant group, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), had convened at a part of the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac on Monday in an attempt to “occupy” about 900 hectares of land.

The militants set up their posts in Barangay Balete. It has been reported that about 400 farmers had camped at the local gymnasium on Sunday night.

The KMP had released a statement announcing their plan to occupy the part of the Hacienda Luisita which is owned by the Cojuangco clan. The mass activity was in accordance with the Supreme Court’s 2012 decision, ordering the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to give 4,500 hectares of land to over 6,200 farmers who have been working in the Cojuangco estate. It had been decided that the agency will randomly pick the lots allocated for each beneficiary.

However, the 900 hectares of land that the militants intend to occupy are under the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and an industrial estate. Security has been increased around the area.