CARP: 18 years of continued landlessness, hunger and poverty for farmers

Press Release
By SAGUPA-SB
June 14, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte   –  After 18 years of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), landlessness remains to be the top most pressing problem for farmers in the region. This was highlighted by Lito Gacusana, Secretary General of the peasant group, Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB) in the light of the annual celebration of the CARP anniversary.

“For 18 years, CARP has never answered the demands of farmers for their own land to till. After so much budget have been poured into the program, the region’s productive lands remain in the hands of a few,” said Gacusana.

Gacusana stressed that up until this time, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has accomplished only 38.45% of their regional target of 322,029 hectares of agricultural land to be distributed to landless farmers in Eastern Visayas. For SAGUPA-SB, it is such a dismay that 93.96% of the DAR’s ‘accomplishments’ involved public and government-owned lands like declared resettlement areas, based on DAR’s report on Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD).

“CARP has not abolished land monopoly in region and in the country, as a whole. Still, 7 out of 10 farmers still hope for their own land to till. Through this, the feudal mode that has come to exploit the peasantry for so long remains to preserved and even reinforced. Farmers continue to bear the brunt of land rent, deducting 25% or more from the farmer’s gross produce, high production costs shouldered by the farmers, usury, among others,” stressed Gacusana.

“To add insult to injury, less than one-hectare farms have been noted to increase to 335% – a glaring indication of the failure of CARP to address the problem of land. Instead of facilitating the distribution of lands to farmer-beneficiaries, we see the facilitation of land grabbing from farmers and the concentration of lands to haciendas and landlords,” said Gacusana.

According to him, this situation further aggravates hunger and lack of job opportunities in the countrysides. Gacusana pointed out that more and more farmers cannot afford their own supply of food due to the rise in prices of commodities following the RVAT implementation. There have been a noted 11.32% increase in the prices of basic food products and that include sardines, noodles and rice – a farmer’s staple food.

“With a meager income of P23.80 per day, how could one farmer afford a kilo of rice costing him P25? Farmers account for 4 out of 10 people in the region who cannot have a decent meal in a day. Furthermore, due to the lack of support from the government in terms of capital and inputs for production and the pressing decapitalization of farmers, agriculture does not generate jobs for the growing populace depending on it,” the farmer-leader said.

For their part, the peasant group will launch a series of education-fora-discussions among farmers, officials of local government units, academe, church and government agencies. They also vow to petition the government for genuine support services for agriculture.

Iloilo boxing trainer to GAB: How about us?

By ALEX P. VIDAL/ PNS
June 13, 2006

ILOILO CITY  –  The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) successfully staged the first GAB boxing convention in Manila last April 19-22 and awarded plaques of recognition to 33 Filipino former world champions, but ignored boxing trainers and coaches who have made big contributions as well to professional boxing in the country.

This was the lament issued recently by Alfredo “Pidong” Amistoso, Sr., 70, a former national flyweight contender who now trains professional boxers in a makeshift gym in Arevalo district here.

Amistoso, who reportedly clinched the national flyweight championship in 1958 on points from Ric Diaz in Zamboanga City, said in national events or gathering of boxing personalities such as the recent convention, GAB should also recognize the role of boxing trainers since they are the “producers” of Filipino world champions.

“Without us trainers, there would be no Filipino world champions. There would be no (Roland) Navarette and (people’s champion) Manny Pacquiao,” Amistoso said in vernacular.

Olympics

Amistoso listed 1988 Seoul Olympics bronze medalist (48 kg) Leopoldo Serrantes, former Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) junior lightweight champion Felix Tuble, and former World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight king William Magahin as among his wards in the YMCA gym on Iznart St., City Proper here in the 80’s and 90’s.

As a professional boxer, Amistoso said he was under the tutelage of Mario Lumacad, Sr., also Navarette’s former trainer. Lumacad acts as chief trainer today of boxers under the Johnny Elorde Stable in Paranaque City in Metro Manila.

“Mario is older than me by a few years but we had chemistry when I was under him. Has the GAB recognized him?” Amistoso asked.

Amistoso credited trainers and coacher like him for the growth of professional boxing in the countryside.

“We produce future champions without the knowledge of people in Metro Manila,” he stressed. “It’s because of our love for boxing why we continue to be active until today even if we don’t get a single centavo from the government. We don’t even have any insurance. If we get sick, our family will suffer.”

Highest purse

The highest share he received in his 30 years as boxing trainer was P10,000, he said, when his ward, Shoji Sadava, failed in a bid to seize the vacant WBF inter-continental flyweight diadem against Dobrak Artir in Surabaya, Indonesia in 1997.

To eke out a living, Amistoso said he relies only on the “generosity” of public attorney office (PAO) Regional Director Roberto Liberiaga, a boxing enthusiast, who sponsors a monthly amateur boxing card in Molo district where Amistoso acts as the “tournament director” on a P500-per tournament basis.

Amistoso said other trainers in established boxing stables in Metro Manila and Cebu are luckier because their meals are assured three times a day.

He sobbed: “Sa amon ya, kon wala boksing wala man pagkaon eh (In our case, we don’t have anything to eat if there is no boxing).”

The last time Amistoso secured his GAB license as trainer in professional boxing was in 1998 when his boy Nandy Cagayan of Bo. Obrero district lost by technical knockout (TKO) to Gary Ordonez of Malabon City in the “Blow-By-Blow” program in Mandaluyong City, the same promotion that discovered and built the career of Manny Pacquiao.

Over the “bantay-dagat” row

Did Congressman Uy manipulate police chief’s relief?

By ROMMEL L. RUTOR
June 11, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  The removal of Samar Provincial Police Chief Arcadio Lelis from his post, has again caused an undoubted speculation that politics has again creeped into the police hierarchy, this after Cong. Reynaldo Uy publicly announced that he will “definitely” worked for the relief of the police chief and other police personnel who got entangled with the “bantay-dagat” issue on February this year (news).

PSSupt. Lelis was relieved from his post effective June 1, this year with PSSupt. Ashdali Idja Abah taking the rank as the new Samar Provincial Police Office (SPPO) Chief.

History

It can be recalled that four months ago, Cong. Reynaldo S. Uy of Samar’s first congressional district deplored the action made by a composite team of the police and navy, against 8 members of his “bantay-dagat” program who were patrolling the sea waters of his district.

The solon categorically explained that his “bantay-dagat” program is legal and properly endorsed by the City of Calbayog and some other towns of the first district thru various resolutions.

Cong. Uy however denied the allegations of the police about the confiscated firearms, which the police claims were recovered from the solon’s bantay-dagat patrol boat.

At least 4 baby armalites and hundreds of ammunitions were presented by the police to the media.

As this developed, Cong. Uy publicly announced that he will use all his influence just to make sure that the PNP Mobile Group chief in Calbayog City and the SPPO Director will be relieved.

And just a couple of weeks after that announcement, Major Pablo Enguerra of the PNP Mobile Group, was relieved and transferred back to the PNP Mobile Group Headquarters in Calbiga, Samar, and after three months, this time it is the SPPO Director PSSupt. Arcadio Lelis leaving his post for a new assignment at the PNP Regional Headquarters.

No Confirmation

This writer tried to get in touch with Cong. Uy last week, but the solon cannot be reached.

However, this writer was able to get in touch with Ms. Elena Montealto, the solon’s chief political affairs officer, and asked for possible statement if the solon indeed has something to do with the movement inside the PNP, particularly the reliefs of Maj.Enguerra and PSSupt. Lelis.

But as of this writing, Ms. Montealto has no reply yet to the media request.

Meanwhile, an insider from the PNP who requested anonymity revealed that the relief of PSSupt. Lelis was allegedly influenced by Cong. Uy, relatively because of the “bantay-dagat” issue last February.

According to the informant, the PNP region has to make all the necessary cover-ups to make it appear that the recent movement of PSSupt. Lelis is a promotion, “Ganun pa rin naman ang ranggo niya, and besides yung bagong position niya, e para siyang nakakulong, although chief of staff nga siya ng region wala naman siyang territorial command, hindi gaya ng mga provincial directors”, the informant revealed.

“Yan ang tinatawag namin dito na – you are kicked upward, besides ang pagkaka-alam ko, nag-donate si Cong. Uy ng dalawang laptop computers sa region”, added the police insider.

No Politics

On the other hand, PSSupt. Lelis clarified to the media that there was no truth of the alleged political maneuverings on his transfer to the PRO 8 as Chief of Staff.

He disclosed that it was his decision to accept the offer in preparation for his retirement in two years time, “Promotion sa akin iyon, and besides ayoko rin naman na mag-retire ako na hanggang provincial director lang ang naabot ko”, he told, but added that his new position will somehow relieve him of various pressures of his work as the former SPPO chief.

Likewise, incoming SPPO chief PSSupt. Abah denied that politics has something to do with PSSupt. Lelis’s transfer disclosing further that the said post at the PRO 8 could have been his, “Pero dahil nga sa mas senior si PSSupt. Lelis kesa sa akin, mas akma sa kanya ang posisyon na iyon”, he concluded.

Shoot dead barangay chairman and BARC president, add up ten unsolved murder cases in Eastern Samar: A “chilling silence” for local Catholic Church!

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –   Recently the Bishop and the Clergy of the Roman Catholic church in the Diocese of Borongan described these incidents of killing as “chilling silence”. The pastoral letter read in more than 29 parishes of Eastern Samar, mentioned “the lack of credible results from the killings’ investigations and the lack of efficient action as regards securing citizens known to be subject to threats in the province.”

Last Thursday June 8, the Bishop of Catarman hosted the regular meeting of the SIPPD (Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development), composed of 3 Bishops, 3 Governors and sectoral representatives from the three provinces of Samar.

These unsolved crimes/killings were one of the most talked about concerns during the meeting and have agreed to write a resolution urging the PNP and other agencies to maximize legal means to stop the killings and give justice to the victims.

Approximately the count of extra-judicial killings including attempted and frustrated assassinations in the province has reached to more than ten; Boyax Ramirez (Borongan), Raul Daza (Borongan, not the governor of Northern Samar), Boy Muslim (muslim businessman), Alejo Libanan from Oras (killed in Tacloban), Bagares (Guiuan), Atty. Norman Bocar (Borongan), Antonio Alde III (Borongan), Bembem Bajado (Maydolong), David Costuna (Borongan), Arcadio Macale (Borongan), frustrated murder Boy Ambida (Borongan), Castor Gamalo (Balangiga), a certain Abundio (Sulat), Doydoy Abunda (Borongan).

The latest murder cases

According to Provincial PNP, at almost midnight of June 4, 2006 the shooting incident happened in Barangay Balud, during a wake of a son of certain Ben Silvero who according to the neighbors and family is a close friend of slain Barangay Chairman and the Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC) President.

Contrary to reports the slain Barangay Captain, David G. Costuna in Barangay Balud this municipality is not a member of the Bayan Muna, this was contested by wife Nida Eljera-Costuna and daughters. Likewise Arcadio Y. Macale farmer and president of the BARC, a project of DAR, is not a member of the militant group.

Witnesses who were present for the wake said Macale sat on the bench beside Costuna earlier occupied by Silvero who left the scene. Few seconds or approximately just a minute after the later left, a man wearing a bonnet armed with M16 rifle shoot Macale first on the chest then Costuna in the head while trying to help the wounded friend. Both died instantly.

Perpetrator fled on foot running towards the direction to a get away motorcycle with other companions believed to be on the look out in strategic location. Several other motorcycles fled in separate directions. Those attending the wake with motorcycles observed that their tires were flat others allegedly slashed.

“When I heard the gun shoots, immediately I knew it was my father” (Pagbati ko han mga bubto han pusil derecho ak nakasabot hi tatay adto nga pinusil) the daughther of Costuna painfully related that they have already anticipated since they received the death threats sent through mail 21st of March this year.

The letter with black-square cloth stapled on its upper left-hand corner written on a grade three writing pad reads; “Kapitan David: MAARAM KAMI NGA KAMO IT NABULIG PAGPASILITAR GRUPO HIN SPARU NGA NAGAMIT HIN PULA NGA MOTOR XLR NGAN IBA PA NGA MGA SARAKYAN. KINIKITA NAMON HIRA NGA NA GI-OS TIKANG DIDI HA MAY SUR HASTA NGADA HA MAY NORTE. KAMO NA LA IT BAHALA KON MAS UUROGON NIYO ITON NGA MGA TAWO KONTRA HIT IYO KINABUHI. KON KARUYAG PA NIYO MABUHI PAG BAG-O NA KAMO!!! (in red ink the writer identified themselves as VIGILANTE-ANTI COMMUNIST LEYSAM, no specific name on it - see foto).

Aside from the letter, unusual sightings of unidentified men near the vicinity of their residence and their Barangay asking for the location of the Chairman or his house, weeks and days before the incident happened.

Friends were telling him to hide and run for life but refused saying he cannot leave and turn his back from responsibility of being barangay chairman, recalled his wife.

Chairman Costuna was a publicly known figure in Borongan for his involvement and concern for the farmers and victims of human rights violations. His official affiliation was with the KMP, Kapisanan nga mga Magbubukid and Magsasaka ng Pilipinas and a parliamentarian according to wife Nida. In fact according to her, during the Marcos regime he was very active in demonstrations and campaigns to end and give justice to the victims of oppression and other human rights violations. “Han una pa iton han panahon ni Marcos an ak asawa ura-ura ka aktibo pagtaga hustisya”, she added that his total dedication was presently running the Barangay affairs.

In a related development, Ben Silvero according to relatives he did not even wait for the forty days (ending a prayer for the dead after forty days) of his son, he is now in hiding. Neighbors and friends believed that Arcadio Macale was mistaken to be Silvero who also received the same warning letter as Costuna did.

Silvero is an active member and official of the SIBF, Samar Island Biodiversity Foundation, Inc., Eastern Samar Chapter, an NGO for environmental protection specially forest biodiversity. He is also identified with farmers and known to be an advocate against Human Rights violations and associated with Bayan Muna group.

As of press time no official report has been gathered form the PNP headquarters regarding the case(s). Meanwhile they are calling out witnesses to come out and help shed light to these unsolved crime.