Sumilao Update: Metro Manila Leg - Day 6 & 7

The support for the Sumilao farmers' Walk for Justice continues to gain ground. Aside from the religious groups, NGOs, LGUs and even from several lawmakers, calls for support has reached cyberspace. Several bloggers, including yours truly, have lent our keyboards to the plight of the marches.

While we await the final decision of the Department of Agrarian Reform, the farmers who have endured everything mother nature threw at them remain steadfast. They are not begging for our mercy nor for handouts. They are merely reclaiming what is due them. These are indigenous people who are squatters in their own ancestral lands. Fate may have abandoned them to the rich and powerful but they remain strong in the belief that true justice will be served.

As we commemorate International Human Rights Day tomorrow, let us not forget that the Sumilao farmers are only a segment of Philippine society which continue to wallow in the quagmire of social inequity and seeks social justice. Many of our fellow Filipinos still suffer from an unkind social class and a beholden government.

I will continue to update the list of bloggers who have cared to aid these helpless people.

Here are the cyber-warriors who have given the Sumilao farmers a voice in cyberspace:

Jester-in-Exile
Pedestrian Observer
Milkolate
Vignettes
AWB-Arbet Bernardo: Sumilao Sa Metro Manila
The Equalizer: Boss Danding
The Four-eyed Journal
Oddball by Mayor Jesse Robredo: Sumilao Walk
Manila Bay Watch
Loves an Ocean
Planet Naga
Pakisama
Postcard Headlines
The Antisocial
Thirty Thousand Fishes
The Citizen On Mars
Ellen Tordesillas
Gari Lazaro
Uniffors: On Patricia Evangelsita's Column
Ibangon Ang Bayan: Ang Makabagong Lumad
You can show your support for the Sumilao Farmers here.

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Sumilao Update: Metro Manila Leg - Day 5

The Sumilao farmers today marched to Malacañang. Members of the Manila police first blocked the farmers at the foot of the Nagtahan bridge, a mere 300 meters from the gates of the palace. The farmers wanted to present their petition to Sec. Eduardo Ermita and to tell him that despite the orders from Gloria, DAR sec. Pangandaman has not acted on their case. The palace had ordered the police not to allow the farmers through.

After waiting for 3 hours and with the assistance of Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, the marchers were allowed to reach at last the palace gate. Fr. Pascual prepared lunch for the marchers. A feverish and now suffering from skin asthma, Gari Lazaro sent regular updates of the progress of the march. He described the mood and demeanor of the marchers.

Messages from Gari Lazaro:

The Sumilao farmers were blocked by the police at the intersection of Nagtahand and Lacson. They just sat peacefully. Some cried out of frustration for the unnecessary forced blockade and it seems that they would not even see the gates of Malacañang.

We're marching back to the Dept. of Agrarian Reform. "Sumilao farmers demands for land, not for for food (personally served By Col. Querol). They hunger for justice, they thirst for their rights. The farmers cried their hearts out because of frustration."

There will be an indignation rally at the DAR tonight at 6PM for its insensitivity and inaction to issue a cease and desist order. 1,700kms of walk with all hopes crumbled when they reached Malacañang.

The sad group looked more like a funeral march from Gari's description on their way back to DAR.

The group has been joined by 50 more farmers. The Sumilao farmers will be camping out again in front of DAR office at the Quezon Memorial Circle. If ever you are in the area, I implore you to show your support for our hapless brothers. The need moral support now more than ever as it seems their's is a losing cause as they are up against a giant.

What bloggers had to say:

Jester-in-Exile
Pedestrian Observer
Milkolate
Vignettes
AWB-Arbet Bernardo: Sumilao Sa Metro Manila
The Equalizer: Boss Danding
The Four-eyed Journal
Oddball by Mayor Jesse Robredo: Sumilao Walk
Manila Bay Watch
Loves an Ocean
Planet Naga
Pakisama
Postcard Headlines
The Antisocial
Thirty Thousand Fishes
You can show your support for the Sumilao Farmers here.

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Sumilao Update: Metro Manila Leg - Day 4

Somewhat under the weather, Gari Lazaro updated me on the progress of the Sumilao march late last night. After leaving the Ateneo, they were briefly delayed by guards of the University of the Philippines who blocked their march. They then proceeded to the House of Representatives. The House committee on agrarian reform headed by Apayao Rep. Elias Bulut, Jr. hosted them for lunch to discuss how the loopholes in the CARP law can be plugged.

Reps. Hontiveros-Baraquel, Beltran and Velarde also met the group. Archbishop Arguelles led a torch parade at the elliptical road better known as the Quezon Memorial circle. DAR secretary Nasser Pangandaman met the marchers briefly last night and informed them that he is giving them and SMFI three days to submit to his office their position papers. He will be making his decision afterwards.

But justice may still elude the farmers as it seems that even their local government has abandoned them. SMFI and the local government seemed to have sealed the fate of the hapless farmers.

For a complete report on the Sumilao update, you may refer to Inquirer.net.

What bloggers had to say:

Jester-in-Exile
Pedestrian Observer
Milkolate
Vignettes
AWB-Arbet Bernardo: Sumilao Sa Metro Manila
The Equalizer: Boss Danding
The Four-eyed Journal
Oddball by Mayor Jesse Robredo: Sumilao Walk
You can support the Sumilao Farmers here.

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Sumilao Update: Metro Manila Leg - Day 3

The Sumilao farmers who marched from Bukidnon yesterday performed a MANLITOB. Its a ritual to appease the spirits of what they did and what they will be doing in the future. This is the start of their SINAMPO, a prayer for the king of Tagibugta, the spirit of the earth.

The men shaved their heads, an act that goes against their Higaonon culture. This was done by 30 male members of the group to symbolize that everything had been taken from them. The ritual was done at the San Miguel office in Pasig City.

The farmers gained the support of Cardinal Rosales who served as bishop of Bukidnon for 11 years. He sent a letter to GMA asking her to turn over the estate to the farmers. Ateneo de Manila University officials led by their president, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres signed a manifesto of support for the farmer's claim to the land.

DAR sec. Nasser Pangandaman has taken steps to address the issue. He made an ocular inspection of the disputed land. He had also asked the DAR's Center for Land Use Policy, Planning and Implementation to present him their recommendation on the matter.

The farmers will camp out in front of the DAR office until their case is resolved. I am glad that the Inquirer has been covering this issue and has daily updates on the progress of the march and the case as well. I hope that bloggers would join me and Gari Lazaro in spreading the word on the plight of our brothers from Bukidnon. As of late, nothing has been heard from Juan Miguel Zubiri who hails from Bukidnon (but was overwhelmingly voted by the Comelec of Maguindanao). The said senator cannot even serve his province mates much less the nation.

*For a more detailed information of the Sumilao case, you may check Gari Lazaro's blog.

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Sumilao Update: Metro Manila Leg

Almost two months after leaving Sumilao, Bukidnon, farmers from Sumilao have finally entered Metro Manila. The marchers, yesterday were able to hold a dialogue with some senators to air their grievances. Their march ended at the San Carlos Seminary for an overnight respite. The local government of Makati was kind enough to allow the march to pass through their city without a hitch.

Today, the marchers will leave the seminary at 10 AM. They will proceed to Pasig where the main office of San Miguel Corporation is located. SMC bought the land from Norberto Quisumbing to construct a piggery, the sale viewed by some as not in good faith. The conversion plan was submitted by Quisumbing to the DAR to prevent it from being covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

SMC did not adhere to the conversion plan which could lead to the nullity of the sale. This will lead to the 144-hectare land being finally awarded to the Sumilao farmers. The marches will then proceed to Quezon City where the Ateneo de Manila University will celebrate a mass for them. They will proceed to the House of Representatives to hold a picket. On Thursday, the farmers will setup camp in front of the DAR office. They will attempt to hold a rally on Mediola bridge.

I received an update from Gari Lazaro early today and informed me that the men will shave their heads. This is against Higaonon culture.

I hope that bloggers would join in spreading the story of Sumilao's March for Justice. I also would like to ask people to share whatever they can give to these farmers who have walked 1,700km just so they can be heard.

*Updates and backgrounder can be viewed here.

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Sumilao Update

Hardly noticed and with so little media coverage, the Sumilao March for Justice has finally reached Manila. After leaving Sumilao, Bukidnon two months ago, fifty-four farmers finally reached Manila.

After marching for more than a thousand kilometers, the farmers intend to bring their grievance to Malacañang on Dec. 10, the day the world celebrates International Human Rights Day. Enduring heat and rain, the farmers continued their march with people, local officials and NGOs showing their support and hospitality.

The farmers will be joined by several farmers' groups in the last leg of their long journey. With them are thirty seven farmers from Calatagan, Batangas. These farmers also have a pending case with the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Gari Lazaro has been coordinating with the farmers and have been tirelessly updating us of the group's progress. The Sumilao marchers will be at the senate tomorrow at 9:30 AM. They will then march through Buendia Ave. then to J.P. Rizal in Makati. They will stop at the San Carlos Seminary for a much needed rest.

I hope that those living in these areas will also extend their hospitality not just their support to these brave farmers.

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In Retrospect: The Standoff

In hindsight, was the Manila Peninsula Standoff really intended for us, the Filipino people? If it were spontaneous as Sen. Trillanes claims, then it was doomed to fail. People will never come. Were you and I the audience he seeks? I doubt it very much as I view the incident as an avenue for a different purpose. From a military point of view, you will never "invade" unprepared.

So I think it was not meant for us. Trillanes is a soldier and he would know, the people will never come without the proper information. Even the opposition was caught off-guard by his action. His move has a deeper motive. Was it a test case, was it a balloon to test the sentiment of the people? Maybe, maybe not, I think we will find out in the days to come.

Missing yesterday was the coming out of major service commanders to show their unquestioned support for the incumbent. The downplaying by the military of the incident as a simple police action only proves that there are rumblings in the military. DOTC sec. Leandro Mendoza's order to closely watch the ports and airports supports this theory. It only shows that there indeed a broader support for Trillanes in the armed forces. The constant loyalty checks also supports this theory. Was the move by Trillanes meant for the military? We all cannot simply dismiss this outright.

I am sure that professional soldiers will at all times adhere to their constitutionally mandated roles. They know the limits of the doctrine of the chain of command and what constitutes legal and moral orders. These soldiers will question anything that is unlawful. This is the cause of continuing military adventurism. Soldiers will follow but will have lingering questions in them.

That fact that independent and professional generals never make it as chief of staff proves that a strength of a president(?) relies heavily on her relations with the military leadership. This practice have been questioned by disgruntled officers since far back as I can remember.

On Coups And Its Components

Coups of the violent nature will never succeed in this country. People will never subscribe to a militarist view. The fact that violent coups in the past were widely condemned and never supported only shows that a violent option for a takeover is doomed to fail. People power however is a different animal altogether. Civilian-led moves had been successful. But for this to succeed need a series of worsening events. Gloria's situation is of this nature.

The questions of her legitimacy continue to hound her. The corruption scandals and the blocking of legal avenues to resolve these questions could escalate things. Ninoy Aquino's assassination merely started the ball rolling for Marcos's downfall. The real spark was the cheating in the snap election. When an administration resorts to subversion of the constitution and curtailing of civil liberties, then it will be prone to coups and civilian upheaval.

The administration's reaction yesterday may have some legal basis to a certain extent. Its actions to resolve the incident may have been proper. But it failed miserably to paint a picture of stability. The small details such as the hauling of the media, "dragnet" style will not sit well in the eyes of foreign press. The cuffing of clergy and senior citizens is unsettling to some. The imposition of the curfew has sparked questions of its legality however justified the imposition maybe.

So it seems we have not seen the end of actions like the one Trillanes took. It has exposed the frailties of the current dispensation, whether it be its political image or public relations. What is clear is that there is growing public dissent. The continuing discontent should not be discounted. Accountability is still the order of the day. Gloria's remaining years will be the ride of her life. Whether she will be finally ousted will depend on how fat her wallet is. What awaits her beyond 2010 is uncertain. She has only two options left, a shift to parliamentary form or a declaration of martial law. Exile is not an option, she will have to face the music eventually.

One statement resounds, Gen. Danilo Lim summed it all up. "DISSENT WITHOUT ACTION CONSENT."

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