“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:12 ESV
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) expresses deep concern over the reported separate incidents of intimidation and harassment of the farmers of Lupang Ramos in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on September 10 and 26, 2024, respectively. The incident on September 10 occurred during an alleged African Swine Fever (ASF) inspection involving combined personnel from the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the local government of Dasmariñas. On September 26, approximately 100 police and military personnel from Task Force Ugnay, under the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, again attempted to enter the community.
According to the local peasant organization, Kasama-LR, If the true purpose was inspection, there would be no need for the presence of an estimated 100 military and police personnel. This heavy-handed approach suggests the inspection was a cover for a counter-insurgency operation by the AFP’s Task Force Ugnay, carried out in collusion with the local government to forcibly dismantle the farmers’ barricade.
Lupang Ramos has long been a disputed land between the farmers who have tilled the land for generations on the one hand, and so-called landowners attempting to grab the land from them. As these farmers continue to organize and defend their rights to the land, they face increasing efforts to weaken their unity and resolve through intimidation and harassment by the state forces. Even amidst these continued harassments- the farmers were able to do bungkalan or collective farming for years to sustain their community and apply agroecological practices that sustain the land and the people.
The NCCP calls on the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the local government of Dasmariñas, Cavite, to cease all forms of harassment, intimidation, and red-tagging of farmers who are exercising their democratic and legal rights to defend their land. These farmers have tilled the land for almost half a century and has continued to contribute to the food security of the nation. More than ever, they deserve support, not persecution.
As a council of churches, we continue to pray and stand with the farmers of Lupang Ramos. The NCCP will also continue to advocate for a just and peaceful resolution to the Lupang Ramos land dispute, and the many more land disputes besetting the country. Genuine peace for the Philippines cannot be achieved whilst those who labor to cultivate the land and feed our people continue to face violations of their rights.
Let us be in solidarity with the farmers, and pray for them, guided by the words of the Psalmist:
“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4, KJV)
Lord, hear our prayer.
Signed:
04 October 2024
Ms. Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses
Vice-Chairperson
Pastor Jon Dave A. Angeles
Vice Chairperson
Rev. Leonardo R. Morada
Treasurer
Ms. Minnie Anne M. Calub
General Secretary