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“Justice for victims of massacre in Hacienda Luisita” -- KMU

BAGUIO CITY (Nov.20) — The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Cordillera staged an indignation rally at kilometer 0 here this week to demand justice for the victims of the violent dispersal at Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) last November 16.

Apolinario Viuya, spokesperson of the Workers Alliance in Region III (WAR III) disclosed that HLI workers staged a similar rally dawn last Nov. 17 at the Tarlac City Plaza to condemn what they call the Hacienda Luisita massacre.

The massacre

Reports from the national dailies stated that the number of deaths that ensued from the violent dispersal at HLI rose to 14, including two children ages 2 and 5 that suffocated from tear gas. KMU reports said more than 200 farm workers were hurt and 115 detained. At least one person missing according to initial reports of the fact-finding mission conducted by Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women’s Party.

In an interview with Nordis, Leonoda Tundagui of KMU contested Congressman Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr.’s claims that the dispersal was legal.

Tundagui condemned the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police for using water cannons, tear gas, smoke gas and even guns to disperse the picketers. She also questioned the presence of the soldiers at the dispersal. “These are soldiers trained for war, there was no war in Hacienda Luisita. Why were they there?” she added.

Tundagui explained that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, being the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should have ordered the soldiers not to participate in the HLI conflict in the first place. “She could have easily ordered the soldiers to leave the premises of HLI if she wanted to,” she stressed.

Justice not alms

Tundagui also criticized the financial assistance that Arroyo and Aquino promised to give the victims of the HLI dispersal.

Tundagui stressed that financial assistance is not the answer to the worker’s demands.

“This is no longer a simple monetary issue. After the funeral what will happen to the victims’ families?” she said.

Further, she called on the Arroyo government to castigate the soldiers and policemen responsible for the carnage at HLI.

Tundagui added that Aquino should instead aid in the granting of the workers’ demands rather than just doling out money to the victims. She said the company can afford to grant the workers’ demands.

Legitimate demands

KMU spokesperson James Tulipa said the workers’ demands are legitimate. He explained that the reinstatement of at least 321 illegally retrenched workers and union leaders, additional working days wage increase and the resumption of negotiations are valid and just demands.

Tulipa stressed that the workers have all the right to reasonable wages and security of tenure. He added that the workers even have the right to own the land they till.

“For decades now they have worked hard to make the sugar industry profitable, despite this the Conjuancos exploited them and suppressed their rights to collective actions,” Tulipa declared.

Philippine Daily Inquirer reports stated that HLI farm workers earn over P190 a day but take home an average of P9.50 after deductions have been subtracted from their pay. Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) president Rene Galang added that because the working days were reduced to one day a week, the farm workers have to survive on a P9.50 pay per week.

DOLE order

Further, Tulipa declared that KMU is calling for the ouster of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas for her anti-worker stand and bias for the HLI. This is also the call of HLI workers, he said.

Tulipa explained that Sto. Tomas’ order declared the strike illegal, which prompted the violent dispersal.

According to Pinoy Weekly reports, KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog stated that DOLE once again used the assumption of jurisdiction to break up a legitimate strike and justify a violent dispersal. # Kim N. Quitasol for NORDIS

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