Human Rights Online Philippines

Bukidnon, Agusan, Surigao farmers to picket Malacanang
By Cong Corrales, MindaNews.com
February 12, 2012

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/11 February) — Farmers from different towns of Bukidnon gathered here Saturday for a send-off mass before sailing to Manila to ask President Benigno Simeon Aquino not to terminate but complete land distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer).

At least 100 members of Alyansa Bukidnon heard mass at Kiosko Kagawasan, D.V. Soria, celebrated by Fr. Nathaniel Lerio of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, who told the farmers to sustain their “righteous demand for land rights.”

“United we can pressure government to give in to our demands. I believe this government is still a Christian government so they should have conscience for the oppressed and the poor,” Fr. Lerio said.

Task Force Mapalad-Bukidnon coordinator Joseph Coles said 15 of their members from Bukidnon and another 15 members from Agusan and Surigao provinces will sail to Manila for a massive protest action in front of Malacañang on Monday.

“Most of our members are already in Manila for the protest action at the door steps of Malacañang on Monday,” Coles said.
Bannering streamers: “CARPer until 2014: Completion not Termination,” the farmers marched from D.V. Soria to Puntod Wharf after the mass.

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