Urgent Update: CMU guards indiscriminately fired at BTL farmers protesting outside the university, 3 seriously wounded

Amihan
Northern Mindanao Region
MINVIZCON Blg., IFI Compound
Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City
Email: amihan.nmr@gmail.com
Tel.no: (088) 850-5854

On June 14 at around 10:30 in the morning, the kampuhan set up by the Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (BTL) in front of the Central Mindanao University in Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, was dismantled by the security guards hired by the university, assaulting protesters keeping guard over their camp.

Around 15 guards, from the security agency Chevron, were headed by Nestor Honasan and mercilessly fired at the farmers and beat up those near them. The BTL Women’s Association joined the men in trying to defend their group. Still, Billy Jardin, Gregorio Santillan and Larry de Vera all sustained gunshot wounds and had to be rushed to the nearest hospital. Currently, they are still waiting for surgery as the bullets have been embedded in their legs. On the other hand, Weni Loable’s eye was struck by a stone fragment, with rock shards flying from the bullets that hit the ground. He is waiting to be checked and is in danger of losing his eyesight. No one from the authorities have helped the farmers who are until now waiting to be attended by medical aides because they could not afford the rates – even for x-ray alone.

Members of the BTL had set up the kampuhan on May 23 to protest the CMU’s claim over the 400 hectares of land which more than 800 families have been tilling for years. In 1987, the farmers had originally applied for 1,200 hectares of the land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. They were given a Certificate of Land Ownership Award for 400 hectares in 1992. However, the CLOA was canceled and in 2002-2007, they had no choice but to go into a 5-year lease contract. The contract stated that they would not be driven out of their lands.

However, when the lease expired, CMU insisted they relocate to San Fernando, a hinterland municipality at the borders of Bukidnon and Davao del Sur, and Talakag, another border municipality between Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. The farmers protested, arguing that the land which they have developed for more than a decade was rightfully theirs. The BTL and the BTL Women’s Association continue to condemn the CARPer and push for the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill.

For reference:
April Argen Pat B. Marzon
Staff, Amihan NMR
+639052472573 / +639996221291