The plights of the Sumilao, Calatagan, Yulo, and Luisita farmers are just a few examples of the desperate state of agrarian justice in the country.
Sumilao, Bukidnon
Produce: maize, rice, sugar, coffee, rubber, etc.
Contested Area in Hectares: 144
Challenged Party: San Miguel Corporation
Notable Event: Sumilao Marches
Beginning late 2007, farmers from Sumilao held a series of national marches to fight for their ancestral land. Their efforts helped jolt the issue of land reform back into the national scene. The farmers were supported by the Ateneo community.
Calatagan, Batangas
Produce: rice, corn, fruit, trees, etc.
Contested Area in Hectares: 507
Challenged Party: Asturias Chemical Industries (ACI)
Notable Event: Buklod Bakod
With the support of church groups and NGOs, the Calatagan farmers set up fences around their land last July 2008, together with a number of Ateneans and Lasallians. This is to prevent ACI from forcibly converting the land into mining areas.
Yulo, Laguna
Produce: prime coconut plantation
Contested Area in Hecatres: 3,256
Challenged Party: Yulo clan, Ayala Land, Inc.
Notable Event: Fight for the Coconuts
Last summer, Yulo farmers organized a barricade to prevent the Yulo clan from illegally cutting the coconut trees in the farms. The clan’s men made violent arrests the next day as a result, with the help of the PNP’s Regional Mobile Group.
Luista, Tarlac
Produce: sugar (Central Azucarera de Tarlac)
Contested Area in Hectares: 6,435
Challenged Party: Cojouangco clan
Notable Event: Hacienda Luisita Massacre
At least seven people were killed when elements of the military violently dispersed a strike by Luisita workers on Nov. 16, 2004. The strikers were demanding fairer wages and land reform. Noynoy Aquino defended the dispersal when he was a congressman.