In a heartfelt and urgent appeal, three archbishops have addressed a letter to His Excellency, expressing profound concern over the harrowing situation faced by thousands of Ilocano farmers in Barangay Sumogot, Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur. This letter underscores the core principles of Christianity—love, service, and support for the poor and oppressed—while highlighting a fundamental mandate of the government to prioritize its citizens over foreign investors.
The Plight of Ilocano Farmers
The archbishops’ letter narrates the ordeal of approximately 1,000 Ilocano settlers, originally from La Union, Pangasinan, and Tarlac, collectively known as LAPANTAR. These farmers have faced continuous and forcible evictions from their ancestral lands since 2023. Their farmlands, spanning hundreds of hectares and cultivated with vegetables and sugarcane, are being systematically destroyed by tractors operated by two powerful corporations: Kennemer Food International and Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture Group.
The distressing aspect of these evictions is the involvement and apparent consent of local government units (LGUs) and the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA). The evictions have been executed with the backing of well-armed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), leading to severe social injustice and human rights violations against the farmers.
Historical Context and Legal Discrepancies
The conflict over land rights stems from a Presidential Proclamation issued in 1981 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., which granted 26,000 hectares of land to SPDA for an Agro-Industrial Development Program. However, this proclamation did not account for the rights of the Ilocano settlers and their descendants, who have been occupying these lands since the 1950s, under the auspices of President Ramon Magsaysay’s resettlement program.
Despite the SPDA’s claim over these lands, there is a glaring inconsistency: they have targeted only the farmlands currently occupied by the settlers, while excluding other areas within the proclaimed 26,000 hectares. The archbishops’ letter points out that if SPDA genuinely believed in their legal ownership, they should have sought a court order rather than resorting to coercive and violent evictions.
Local Governance and Rule of Law
The letter commends the decision of Mayor Nono Balicao Jr., who has upheld the rule of law by recognizing the prior rights of farmers in Wao, another area within Lanao del Sur. This recognition has fostered justice, peace, and sustainability, setting a hopeful precedent amidst the ongoing crisis in Amai Manabilang. The archbishops highlight that such actions exemplify the constitutional declaration that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law.
In contrast, the current mayor of Amai Manabilang, along with local officials, have aligned themselves with corporate interests, neglecting the constitutional mandate that sovereignty resides with the people and that public office is a public trust. This has resulted in an alarming disregard for the rights and welfare of the Ilocano settlers, exacerbating their suffering and marginalization.
Social Injustice and Human Rights Violations
The ongoing repression and violence against the Ilocano farmers are stark illustrations of social injustice. The relentless destruction of their crops by tractors, supported by the PNP, AFP, and local government, has deprived them of their livelihoods and food security. The letter describes an incident during an open forum on April 26, 2023, where a farmer named Noel Subido was physically assaulted by the mayor’s bodyguards for expressing his concerns, while law enforcement personnel stood by passively.
This brutal treatment underscores a severe breach of moral and legal principles in a country that prides itself on Christian values and democratic ideals. The archbishops’ letter fervently appeals for rectification of these social wrongs, emphasizing that the development of the country’s natural resources should primarily benefit Filipinos, not foreign investors.
A Call for Immediate Action
The joint letter from the three archbishops is not merely a narrative of suffering but a passionate plea for justice. They stress the importance of listening to the voices of the oppressed farmers and taking immediate action to halt the coercive evictions. The letter highlights the remarkable resilience and contributions of the Ilocano settlers, who have sustainably developed their lands and supplied essential agricultural products to major cities like Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
The archbishops call upon President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) to heed the farmers’ grievances and uphold their rights. They reiterate the constitutional principles that public officeholders must serve with the highest degree of commitment and dedication to the Filipino people and that social justice should be promoted in all phases of national development.
Makakalikasan – Nature Party Philippines Statement of Support
Joining this cause, the Makakalikasan – Nature Party Philippines has also issued a strong statement of support for the displaced Ilocano farmers. Party President Roy Cabonegro announced their official stance and their plans to take further action. He stated:
“As President of the Makakalikasan – Nature Party Philippines, we are issuing today our official statement in support of the displaced Ilocano farmers and we will be submitting to Malacanang tomorrow, Saturday our letter seeking action from the President on this issue following up previous letters sent by some of you earlier.”
In addition, Cabonegro emphasized the party’s efforts to amplify the voices of the affected communities through their Green Normal Media service, in partnership with Elizalde Broadcasting. They will feature interviews with local leaders from the affected communities in their online broadcast “ESTADO ng KALIKASAN at LIPUNAN,” co-hosted by Cabonegro and Party Chairman Ka Orland. This broadcast is scheduled for Saturday from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, available live on YouTube and Facebook.
Conclusion
The appeal by the three archbishops, now bolstered by the support of the Makakalikasan – Nature Party Philippines, sheds light on the grave injustices faced by the Ilocano farmers in Lanao del Sur. It underscores the essential values of Christianity and constitutional mandates, calling for immediate action to stop the forcible evictions and restore the rights and dignity of the affected farmers. Their letter serves as a poignant reminder that the development of the nation’s resources should prioritize the welfare of its citizens, advocating for a just and equitable society where every Filipino’s basic human rights are upheld.
In closing, the archbishops’ letter, supported by the Makakalikasan – Nature Party Philippines, is a profound expression of solidarity with the Ilocano farmers, urging the government to fulfill its primary duty of serving and protecting its people. Their appeal is a testament to the enduring spirit of compassion, justice, and service that lies at the heart of the Filipino identity.