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5,000 farm workers dispersed in Hacienda Luisita picket; 80 hurt

A face of brutality

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 12) — The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Cordillera condemned the dispersal of some 5,000 farm workers of the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) in Tarlac recently by the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP).

KMU Spokesperson James Tulipa claimed that the violent dispersal is an example of state terrorism against poor workers who are only defending their right to live.

HLI is owned and managed by former president Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino. Aquino’s brother Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and cousin Edwardo “Danding” Cojuangco own the two districts of the Central Azucarera de Tarlac.

Violent dispersal

According to reports of Pinoy Weekly, a national weekly paper, at around 6:20 a.m. on Nov. 6, members of the police and HLI security forces aimed water cannons and tear gas against unarmed picketers at the gates of the Central de Azucarera de Tarlac. A similar report mentioned that the same incident happened the following morning.

Apolinario Viuya, spokesperson of the Workers Alliance in Region III (WAR III), revealed that some 80 individuals, mostly women and children were seriously hurt during the dispersal. He added that victims suffered bruises, broken arms and eye irritation. The victims were rushed to different hospitals in Tarlac City, he said.

Viuya also disclosed that around 500 members of the 69th Infantry Battalion, 701st and 703rd Infantry Brigades, the regional Police Mobile Groups, Citizen’s Armed Force Geographical Unit (CFGU) and the HLI security are still manning the company gates.

Viuya said that the brutal dispersal only shows how government protects the interest of the rich.

Assumption of jurisdiction

Viuya disclosed that on September 30, the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Union (CATLU) filed separate notices of strike at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region III.

Reasons of strike

In a separate statement, WAR III Chairperson Rolly Ilag said CATLU and ULWU went on strike in Nov. 6 after having a deadlock in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation and the company’s refusal to bargain. Retrenchment of more than 300 union members and officers, union busting and unfair labor practices are among the reasons of the strike, he said..

Ilag added that the condition of workers is worsened by the stock distribution option (SDO) scheme under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“Mass layoff is anticipated because of the land use conversion scheme,” he said.

Ilag urged the Cojuangco Clan to immediately resolve the legitimate issues and demands of the workers.

DOLE Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas immediately assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute even before the actual staging of the strike, Viuya added. He explained that the said move makes any strike or lockout illegal. He also mentioned that DOLE issued a return-to-work order within 24 hours to the striking workers last Nov. 10.

According to Rene Galang, CATLU president, the workers fear another violent dispersal.

Despite these threats, Galang said the workers are determined to continue fighting for their legitimate demands.

“We are simply asking for the reinstatement of union officers and members because it the livelihood of our families and other rights due to us are at stake,” he said

In a statement, the Cordillera Workers Association (CWA) strongly condemned “the brutal and violent act of the state military against the workers whose demands are legitimate and just.” # Leonida E. Tundagui for NORDIS

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