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Luisita’s certificates of share of stocks, a desperate move — ULWU

TARLAC CITY (April 19) — While the officers and members of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CATLU) were staging a three day camp-out at the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City, the Hacienda Luisita Incorporated (HLI) management took advantage by issuing “certificates of share of stocks” to the farm workers on April 12 in Brgy. Mapalacsiao.

Around 10 o’clock in the morning, some farm workers went to Sitio Masibucan in the said barangay to get their certificates. While some did not hesitate to sign and get their certificates, a majority chose not to go for some reasons.

In an interview with some farm workers, they said that even before the strike started, they had received certificates.

The documents stated the amount a farm worker would receive, but until now, they claim that they have not received any amount.

CATLU adviser Rene Tua said the distribution of certificates of share of stocks was a desperate move of the management. Once a farm worker agrees to get a certificate, he is asked to sign another document as proof or evidence. The group expressed concern that the management might use the signatures to betray the farm workers. The HLI management can claim that the farm workers have received their shares when in reality they have not, the officer said.

Grave militarization

On the other hand, the killings of innocent people continue. Last Jan. 25, in Victoria, Tarlac, Allan Batan, a 24 year-old HLI farm worker and a resident of Brgy. Bantog, Filino Briones, a farmer and a resident of Victoria were killed.

Batan decided to look for a short-term job while the strike was ongoing. They were fired at by suspected members of the 69th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The suspects claimed that the farmers were members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Brgy. Bantog is one of the most militarized areas inside the hacienda. According to Aling Carmen (not her real name), on the morning of April 6, the military came to their house asking for the names of their family members. Fearful for their safety, Aling Carmen argued that they might be mistaken as NPA sympathizers. But the military said they were just conducting a census. Unaware of her civil rights, Aling Carmen did not realize that the military had no right to conduct a census.

Another case of military scare happened on April 11 in Brgy. Asturias. Members of the AFP forced some residents who they suspected to be members of the NPA to surrender. But officers of ULWU and CATLU immediately went to the said barangay to mediate in behalf of the people. # Joel A. Capulong for Nordis

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