In a statement, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) noted that “last Wednesday afternoon, in front of peasant leaders and advocates in a forum titled “Peasant Challenge 2016 and Beyond” at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Duterte expressed openness to genuine land reform and criticized the total failure of the government “sham agrarian reform program.”
On the same day 12 hours later, Duterte told a group of businessmen he favored 70 percent foreign lease of lands, KMP noted, adding that this was contrary to the spirit of genuine land reform.
“He would allow foreigners to lease lands renewable for 40 years or equivalent to a lifetime under a 70-30 ownership arrangement in favor of foreigners,” KMP said.
KMP Chairperson Rafael Mariano said “farmers are dismayed with Duterte’s quick turnaround” warning that “leasing lands to foreigners renewable for 40 years would be worse than the current law allowing foreigners to lease lands for 50 years renewable for another 25 years.”
“In less than 12 hours in the presence of big businessmen, Duterte retracted what he himself said in front of peasant leaders and advocates. That was quick,” Mariano said.
Mariano said “Duterte’s 180-degree turn and other presidential wannabes’ dismissal of farmers’ demands clearly shows that the 2016 elections is a political circus with candidates taking the Filipino people in a roller coaster ride.”
“The peasantry will continue to challenge all candidates on the demand for genuine land reform, the return of the multi-billion coconut levy, and free irrigation, among others,” the KMP leader said and called on farmers to “intensify the struggle for genuine land reform.”
Last January 22, the 29th year of the infamous Mendiola Massacre, the KMP challenged three presidential frontrunners Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to distribute Hacienda Luisita owned by President Aquino’s family and Araneta Estate owned by the relatives of Mar Roxas.
“We are challenging the three presidential frontrunners, Binay, Poe, and Duterte, on the genuine distribution of Hacienda Luisita and other vast landholdings in the Araneta Estate in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and Rodriguez, Rizal owned by the relatives of Mar Roxas,” said Mariano.
Mariano said that “the failure of these presidential hopefuls to declare and implement the genuine distribution of Hacienda Luisita and other plantations makes them no different from the current haciendero government of Aquino.”
“The distribution of Hacienda Luisita and other vast haciendas remains as a litmus test to presidential wannabes,” Mariano also said.
“We challenge them to reverse the DAR’s fake distribution scheme that was designed to displace the farm workers and divide their ranks,” he added.
