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Farmers demand Aquino face 'accountability' for massacre

As ten-year anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita killings approaches, activists call for justice
Farmers demand Aquino face 'accountability' for massacre

Farmers and human rights activists tie "bloodstained yellow" ribbons outside the residence of President Benigno Aquino as part of the 10th anniversary observance of the killing of seven farmers in Hacienda Luisita (Photo courtesy of Kodao)

Published: November 12, 2014 09:58 AM GMT
Updated: November 13, 2014 06:46 PM GMT

Farmers and human rights activists on Wednesday marched to the residence of President Benigno Aquino to demand "criminal accountability" for the massacre of farmers in Hacienda Luisita ten years ago this week.

Hacienda Luisita is a 6,435-hectare sugar plantation in the province of Tarlac owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes the incumbent president.

The protesting farmers, who marked the 10th anniversary of the massacre, accused Aquino of being "one of the main perpetrators" of the killing of seven farmworkers.

"Aquino cannot ensure justice for the victims because he himself is one of the staunchest defenders of the massacre," said Ranmil Echanis, deputy secretary general of the Union of Agricultural Workers.

"President Aquino can never wash his hands of responsibility for the bloodshed in Luisita ten years ago," said Rudy Corpuz, vice-chairman of the workers' union.

The protesters adorned the streets near the president's house in Quezon City with "blood-stained" yellow ribbons. They said it symbolizes the Cojuangco and Aquino families' alleged role in the violent dispersal of striking workers on November 16, 2004.

In 2005, survivors and the families of victims filed criminal and administrative charges against Aquino and officials of the Department of Labor and Employment after an official investigation concluded that state security forces unlawfully killed the strikers.

Aquino, who was then a congressman representing the province of Tarlac, said the soldiers fired at the farmers "in self-defense."

He delivered a "privilege speech" in Congress claiming that the clash, which resulted in the death of the seven farmers but no injuries to soldiers, was triggered by gunfire coming from the ranks of the strikers.

A privilege speech is a parliamentary privilege enjoyed by members of Congress and provided for by the Philippines' Constitution, which states that "no member (of Congress) shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech" made in Congress.

Ten years after the incident, no one has been tried, prosecuted or made liable for the massacre.

Early into Aquino's first term as president, the Office of the Ombudsman also dismissed all charges against police and military respondents implicated in the killings.

"There is no hard evidence to the allegations," said presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma Jr. 

"It is best to follow processes under the rule of law," he said in a text message.

In August, families of victims filed a petition in court to reopen the case. The petition exposed the role allegedly taken by Aquino in the violent dispersal of strikers.

The petition said the president "committed grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public office”.

It was, however, denied by the Office of the Ombudsman on October 2.

Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairwoman of the human rights group Karapatan (Rights), alleged that the president has "continued to use state machineries to maintain control of the hacienda”.

"The use of thugs to get what he and his family wants shows his real character of a blood thirsty warlord," said Enriquez in a statement.

She cited the killings of Dionisio Garete, a sugar cane farmer, on March 14 this year, and Romeo Capalla, a labor leader, who were allegedly killed by a paramilitary group identified as having links to the presidential palace.

"After 10 years [since] the Luisita workers strike, our call for land distribution and justice for victims of the massacre continues," Enriquez said.

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