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.