The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS) vehemently condemns the escalating militarization and attacks against farmers of Lupang Ramos and Lupang Tartaria in Cavite province and the bagsakan farmers of San Jose del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan province. 

For decades, farmers in these areas have militantly struggled against the landgrabbing of big landlords in their provinces and collectively cultivated their land in assertion of their rights. They also sell their produce directly to consumers. However, since last month, they have faced an overkill deployment of state forces, causing grave concern and distress among residents for their safety.  

Military vehicles including a truck and three tanks were seen at Lupang Tartaria. Meanwhile, military operations and encampments are taking place in at least three barangays in SJDM, violating many rights and affecting the agricultural productivity of its farmers as documented by solidarity missions in the area. 

In Lupang Ramos, state forces have attempted to surveil and infiltrate the community countless of times – to set up a checkpoint for electoral gun ban, to inspect for fire prevention, to inspect the community for African swine flu, and just earlier this week, to build a social service office. All these attempts were made with 50 to 100 uniformed personnel with the blessing of the local government unit of Dasmarinas, which later on admitted that these were all carried out in accordance with a city ordinance to further their counter-insurgency agenda. 

It is appalling that the local government has become an instrument to militarize these communities and violate their rights, instead of protecting and supporting its farmers. We denounce such state-backed efforts that endanger the lives and livelihood of peasant communities. All of these are violations of the international humanitarian law. 

The farmers’ struggle in Lupang Ramos, Lupang Tartaria, and SJDM reflects the legitimacy of peasant resistance against land grabbing and the urgency for genuine agrarian reform. Our Coalition stands in solidarity with peasant communities in the Philippines fighting for genuine land reform! 

Stop the attacks! End militarization! 

Defend PH farmers! Hands off peasant communities! 

Fight for genuine land reform!