San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan farmers along with students, artists, peasant advocates, and human rights experts convened on February 20, 2025 in the Student Union Building in UP Diliman for a solidarity and thanksgiving activity titled “Bagsakan Farmers Push Back!”. Makabayan senatoriable Mody Floranda for Senator, representatives from the Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations in Philippines, and Bagsakan patrons from the academe and government offices were also in attendance. The activity is in light of the dismissed charges against Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general Ronnie Manalo, whose house was raided by elements of the police and military on the 18th of June, 2024 and was planted with guns and explosives. The Office of the City Prosecutor of the City of San Jose Del Monte (CSJDM) has moved to dismiss the complaints, citing “no prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.”

“Di natin alam kung ano ang susunod nilang gagawin. Dapat maging handa tayo”, remarked Manalo. Farmer-residents of CSJDM historically have faced numerous attacks from state forces and private interests. The prime agricultural lands of CSJDM are being landgrabbed by Villar, Araneta, Ayala Corporation, San Miguel Corporation to name a few. In 2022, Araneta private security guards opened fire at farmers in Sitio Ricafort, Brgy. Tungkong Mangga in an attempt to disperse a fact finding mission. Subsequently after the raid on Manalo’s house, a months-long campaign of terror perpetrated by the 80th Infantry Battalion (IB) transpired in the farmer communities of Brgy. Tungkong Mangga, Brgy. San Roque, and Brgy. Paradise 3, characterized by forced surrenders, intimidations, and illegal military encampments.

Dubbed “Bagsakan Farmers”, CSJDM farmers sell directly to consumers to elude unfair pricing and trader manipulation. Their agricultural products are direct benefits from the militant practice of “Bungkalan”, or collective land cultivation. The #DefendBagsakanFarmers campaign was launched to protect the farmers’ right to land and livelihood and to shield them from various human rights violations that commonly target and quell farmer organizations.

“Dapat kasuhan ang mga may sala, kasi baka isipin nila na pwede lang nila gawin yun”, said Cecilia Rapiz, chairperson of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB). Manalo’s camp is gearing to file counter-charges against the concerned personnel of the 80th IB and the Philippine National Police.

KMP and Tanggol Magsasaka thanks everyone who has stood in solidarity with the Bagsakan farmers. Your unwavering support—whether through donations, spreading awareness, showing up at community markets, and fighting alongside with the farmers themselves—has been invaluable in sustaining their fight for land and food sovereignty.