Farmers under the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura and peasant advocates have concluded their 5-day protest camp outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office tomorrow, March 28. In the past week, the campout has called attention to the ongoing struggles for genuine land reform and against land use conversion in Central Luzon, as well as demand for justice for peasant victims of state violence.
The morning program served as farmers’ “Birthday Salubong” for Duterte, and in the afternoon, they will join the broad people’s protest at Liwasang Bonifacio for the Duterte Panagutin mobilization led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and the wider alliance Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA).
On the occasion of Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday, farmers, human rights advocates, and broad sectoral groups demand justice for the countless victims of extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, land-related injustices under Duterte’s regime, and most especially, the Rice Liberalization Law.
“Duterte’s arrest by the ICC is a step forward, but the fight for justice is far from over. Duterte and his accomplices must face the full weight of justice,” said Danilo Ramos, chairperson of KMP. “The Filipino people will not stop until Duterte is held accountable for his crimes, especially the thousands of lives lost under his brutal regime.”
Participants demand justice for the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs, peasant killings, and state violence. The protest will also underscore the continuing human rights violations under the Marcos administration and call on the government to rejoin the ICC.
“Marcos’ reluctance to pursue cases against Duterte reflects his administration’s complicity in shielding the former president from accountability,” added the KMP leader. “The Filipino people must continue to resist the disinformation peddled by Duterte’s allies and fight for genuine justice.”
Danilo Ramos, also a Makabayan Senatorial candidate, called on Filipinos to make Duterte’s 80th birthday memorable — by reminding him and the world that his crimes will not be forgotten and that he belongs in The Hague Detention Facility.
updates from the peasant movement of the Philippines 