Group claims more than 80 farmers have been killed under Duterte admin

A newly launched multi-sector group on Thursday claimed that more than 80 farmers have been killed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"We also see how this government maltreats our rural people. As of August 2017, more than 80 farmers have already been killed apart from almost 13,000 people who died in the name of its campaign against illegal drugs," the Coalition for Land, Against Martial Law and Oppression (CLAMOR) said in its statement of unity, which was read during the group's launch at the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Intramuros, Manila.

Launching of Coalition for Land, Against Martial Law and Oppression (CLAMOR) pic.twitter.com/dyqPapnP6X

— Marlly Bondoc (@marllybondoc) October 19, 2017

Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao said that farmers often face land disputes with private companies, especially those in the mining sector.

He alleged that government forces, paramilitary and security of private companies are involved in the killings of farmers.

"Meron silang mga kinahaharap na land disputes between landlords or 'yung paglaban nila sa pagpasok ng mga malalaking negosyo tulad ng mina, plantasyon na kung saan meron silang mga kinakaharap na mga kaso," Casilao said.

"Meron ding mga kaso na napapaslang sila malapit sa mga detachment ng mga militar...si Jimmy Saypan, ang unang casualty sa panahon ng pagupo ni Pangulong Duterte, ay kilalang lider laban sa pagpasok ng Agusan Oil Corporation. Ito'y isang mining [company] na kung saan ang nagmamayari nito ay mga Cojuangco, San Miguel Corporation," he added.

"Mayroong dineploy na bagong batalyon ng militar at halos lahat ng mga killlings na ito ay nagmula o nagsimula na mayroong mga threats," Casilao said.

Jimmy Saypan, chairperson of the Compostela Farmers’ Association, was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen in October last year, and later died in the hospital. He had opposed the entry of mining companies in Compostela Valley.

CLAMOR, which consists of farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous people and religious groups, was formed to call for free land distribution, as well as an end to extrajudicial killings and the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

The group is calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to direct the Congress to "pass a law for free land distribution to small farmers."

"He must also order the state securities to stop extrajudicial killings, militarization and arrest those who perpetuate inhuman acts,” CLAMOR said.

"Finally, we urge the President to put power at the service of the people for the common good and not dictatorial rule," it added. — BM, GMA News