Local News: Farmers on 2-day Capitol Camp
About 200 farmers started a 2-day camp out at the Provincial Capitol grounds calling for Governor Freddie Marañon to act on the harassment done to farmers at Hacienda Baldevia in Sagay City.
Farmers from Sagay appeal to the Governor to act on “harassments by goons” and those believed to be members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA/ABB).*(Owen S. Bayog/NDB photo)
Militants also scored the present administration for “cuddling” members of the RPA/ABB that are presently employed by the Provincial Government.
BAYAN-Negros at the same time recalled the recent fact- finding mission in Sagay where gunshots were fired at the team in an open field in Hacienda Baldevia.
Farmers from Baldevia hacienda also spoke in the rally and called on the governor to act on their plight since he is from Sagay.
Farmers claimed that they could no longer go back to their houses and the portions of land they till since the presence of members of the RPA/ABB.
Farmers will be on a campout protest action for two days until their demands are heard by government officials.
Fred Caña of KARAPATAN said members of the RPA/ABB are presently employed by the government and being given assistance via a peace pact.
“The RPA/ABB is a bandit and has harmed the people by acting as private goons for landlords in the province,” Caña said. “We can’t see the rationale of the present government since this group had been responsible for suppressing human rights, burning down houses of peasants and farm workers and yet being paid for this act,” Caña added.
The group demands for the P31 million fund to be spent on social services, land and food for the farmers so as to attain genuine peace in the countrysides.*
