TACLOBAN CITY—Tingog Sinirangan, sectoral political group in farming region of Eastern Visayas has joined other sectors in condemning the Kinadapawan clash, while reminding the public to help farmers who are the ones who ‘’feed the entire nation.’’
“We condemn the violent dispersal of the Kidapawan farmers… If our farmers go hungry, the whole country will eventually go hungry. It is tragic that our largely agricultural country has starving farmers, that the ones who sow hardly reap anything,’’ said Jude Acidre, first nominee of Tingog Sinirangan.
“We stand with our farmers in Kidapawan and all the farmers and their families in this difficult time. We add our voices in condemning not only the violent dispersal but the failure of the government to address their needs. This incident clearly shows the desperation on their part to provide food for their families, which the government should have already addressed,’’ he added.
According to Acidre, the Kidapawan incident “is a wake up call for our government to focus on the development of the agricultural sector.”
“Our farmers, many of whom are in the margins of the community, should not be left behind. Greater attention should be given not only in developing farms, but also in giving opportunities for sustainable livelihood for the welfare of our farmers and their families,” said Acidre, adding that they are committed to push for reforms that are pro-agriculture.
“We want to protect and prioritize our producers, the farmers.’’
“Kidapawan incident sadly shows how we treat our farmers. The past and present administration have marginalized the farmers, making them beg for land and support. But it is not only the government and the land owners who shunned the farmers, we have been part of this farmer or agriculture-shaming,’’ reacted Kaye Barreda in her social media post.
“We have turned away from agriculture, forgot about our farmers and placed them in the most rural part of our country’s development plan. We have failed our farmers,’’ she added.
“The public should increase pressure on government to release the rice subsidies without delay and discrimination. And to have a credible probe into the illegal use of guns and live bullets last April 1,’’ said known Filipino blogger Tonyo Cruz.
At least two farmers were killed during the Kidapawan incident while 116 were left injured to include policemen.
Meanwhile, a land rights advocate group based in the region has expressed fear that the violent incident in Kidapawan could happen in Leyte province if similar issues of farmers will remain unresolved.
“The Kidapawan incident has taught us that regardless of the issue, the blame always falls on the farmers just because they dared to claim their rights as citizens and as food producers,” said Rina Reyes, project coordinator of Rights Inc.
The group has been assisting farmer groups on their land issues around Eastern Visayas particularly after the November 2013 super typhoon Yolanda.
“What I am most afraid of is that after some time, when the elections are over and the winners declared, the casualties are considered as mere statistics, remembered only when another tragedy befalls. The time for serious reckoning has long begun, but no resolution seems to be in sight. Farmers will always be treated as ‘magsasaka lang (only farmers),’ who should only wait for alms the government can give them,” Reyes said in an interview.
Reyes cited the still lingering 16-year land rights disputes between two farmer groups– Bugho Farmers Association (BFA) and Fran Farm Workers Association (FFWA)–in Ormoc City.
Despite a report from the Department of Agriculture in the region that the two already “agreed and signed” a final compromise agreement last March, Reyes said the “agreement” has yet to be formally implemented.
Last Sunday, (April 3), Reyes alleged that about 50 bolo (machete)-wielding people surrounded a farm land which was first occupied by holders of certificate of land ownership awards from Bugho farmer group.
However, according to Reyes, the group immediately dispersed when authorities were alerted.
“I believe that if issues such as this is not solved or given priority by the government, it may easily turn into a Kidapawan incident where the farmers will be forced to take to the streets if only to surface their issues. I know of farmers in Alangalang, Leyte who have been victims of land-grabbing and were ignored long enough by the government,” Reyes said.
“I know of farmers in Leyte who have clamored for their certificates of land ownership awards only to find out that there are massive anomalies in its issuance. I know of tenants who have been driven out of the land their fathers have tilled. On top of that, they are forced to face the effects of climate change alone – droughts, excessive rains that destroy their crops, with the usual offers of lame support from the government,” she added.