Press Release

joint with Pamalakaya-Pilipinas

Leaders of rural-based groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Unyon ng Mga Manggagawa Sa Agrikultura (UMA) and Amihan-National Federation of Peasant Women said former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante committed a “mortal sin” when he got President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo off the hook in the controversial P 728-million fertilizer fund scam.

In his testimony during the resumption of the Senate hearing on the fertilizer fund case, Bolante told senators that as far as he knew, the President was not involved in this particular project of the Department of Agriculture, and the disbursement of the P 728-million fertilizer fund was legal, valid and proper use of taxpayers’ money.  full article »

“House committee should dissect agri department to unravel chronic corruption,”- KMP

Leaders of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) testify anew regarding the fertilizer scam this time at the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the House of the Representatives, chaired by Rep. Abraham Mitra. The last wave of the group leaders’ testimonies was at the senate probe on October 6, 2005 to February 2, 2006. The group had a brief discussion with the committee and they relayed that this would also tackle generally the operations of the Department of Agriculture that seem to be crammed with graft and corruption, as illustrated by the recent P218 million “Rice Scam.”  full article »

KMP calls on senators not to succumb to Arroyo’s pressure, work hard for public interest

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) readies its whole membership, including national council members and provincial chairpersons, to testify for the truth at the imminent Senate inquiry regarding the fertilizer scam amidst anticipated repercussion and hostile response of the AFP and PNP. Two of the group’s leaders who witnessed and who have been interviewed by media have been abducted and still missing, and killed, respectively.  full article »

The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA, Union of Agricultural Workers) condemns the Arroyo government for non-action on the Hacienda Luisita incident on November 16, 2004 and worse for promoting killing peasants and agricultural workers all over the country. The Hacienda Luisita Massacre, where 7 agricultural workers and residents of communities within were killed by police and military forces when their picket line was dispersed due to an Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) order of then labor secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas.

“I still couldn’t forget that day that when we just came from the residence of the Cojuangcos to negotiate but being ignored, they grabbed the opportunity to disperse the picket line,” Rene Galang, UMA and United Luisita Workers Union(ULWU) President. “They did a double-bladed approach as they lured us to negotiate, they pushed through with the violent dispersal,” he added.  full article »

Illegal arrests, forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, ingredients of authoritarian rule all implemented by Arroyo

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) condemns to the fullest the terror-state of Arroyo for systematically implementing mass arrests, forced disappearances and extra-judicial killings (EJK) against the peasant movement and other progressive groups and warns the Filipino people of creeping martial law.

“We don’t need to ask for more as the basic ingredients of martial rule are now being implemented by the terror-state of Arroyo,” Danilo Ramos, KMP Secretary-General opened in a press statement. “We should all be wary as a government like Arroyo’s would certainly implement the totality of martial rule, if she thinks that the legal-democratic movement has been silenced,” he added.  full article »

Compostela Farmers Association (CFA) is a chapter of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas - Southern Mindanao Region chapter

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas - Southern Mindanao Region decried the killing of Danny Qualbar, Compostela Farmers Association (CFA) leader and Bayan Muna Coordinator and feared the rampant killing of peasant leaders.

Danny Qualbar was reportedly shot dead yesterday, November 6 at around 5:30 in the afternoon while driving a motorcycle in Brgy. Osmena in Compostela town, Compostela Valley Province.

"Qualbar's death is no less than due to his struggles as a farmer-leader who has worked tirelessly for the welfare of his fellow poor peasants in Compostela, in their struggles for land, peace and human rights. And there is no other culprit behind such an inhumane act but the military which has all the motive to snuff out a staunch leader like Qualbar," Pedro Arnado, Chairperson of KMP-SMR said.  full article »

U.S. war on Iraq, WTO, human rights as immediate indicators for change

As the victory of Barack Obama as the next U.S. president stir up people from different parts of the globe, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) focuses on the fundamentals such as setting indicators that would suggest his presidency would result genuine change in the U.S., as well as to other countries such as the Philippines. The group recognizes that it is a notable development that Obama, from the Democratic Party defeated John McCain of the Republican Party who is likely to adapt and continue the policies and programs of President George W. Bush.  full article »

Total contrast, farmer-witness victims receive no justice while Bolante treated exceptional

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas criticizes the Arroyo government as it is bent on treating culprits of cases such as the P728 million fertilizer scam, satisfactorily, while those who gambled with their lives on exposing the scam has yet to get justice from the backlash. The fertilizer scam architect continues to stay at the expensive St. Luke’s hospital, while the families of murdered witnesses, Ofelia “Nanay Perla” Rodriguez and Nilo Arado has yet to get justice.  full article »

KMP believes demolition as start of Arroyo’s program ‘super-regions’

joint with Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) and Alyansa ng Magbubukid na Nagkakaisa sa Fort Magsaysay 3,100 (ALMANA)  full article »

Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) is the Sothern Tagalog regional chapter of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas

While the respondent Joc-Joc Bolante is being given a VIP treatment and treated as a privileged state guest at St. Luke’s Medical Hospital, one of the complainants in the P728-million fertilizer scam was abducted yesterday by armed state elements in civilian clothes.

Rogelio “Mamay” Galit, P.R.O. of Kasama-TK was forcibly taken by unknown armed men believed to be elements of the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon and Police Provincial Office-Cavite at his home in Bgy. Kaong, Silang, Cavite around 7:30 in the evening.

Albeit his severe health condition due to diabetes, he was dragged and compulsorily taken to Camp Vicente Lim for investigation in a trumped-up multiple murder case filed against him together with other 30 leaders and activists in Southern Tagalog.  full article »