Full-time work

As he assumed bigger responsibilities in the peasant movement, Ka Daning decided to work full-time for the progressive movement. His decision was not immediately accepted by his wife.

Painstakingly, he explained to his wife the need to be involved in the struggle for change. “Hanggang hindi nagbabago ang sitwasyon, hindi uunlad ang buhay natin, walang magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga anak. Mahirap tayo dahil sa pagsasamantala ng mga panginoong maylupa, ng mga burgesya komprador at ng mga dayuhang kapitalista.” (Until the situation is changed, our lives will not improve, our children’s future will be bleak. We are poor because of the landlords, comprador bourgeoisie and foreign capitalists.)

Slowly, Ka Ining understood. As to his children, Ka Daning said he educated them early enough on the problems and struggle of the peasants.

Centuries-old issues remain

Ka Daning, now 48, said landlessness remains to be the primary problem of the Filipino peasants. “Mas tumidi pa nga ang problema ng masang magsasaka sa ilalim ng rehimeng Macapagal-Arroyo.” (The problems of the peasants became much worse under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime.)

He cited the eviction of farmers in Isabela because of the cassava plantation of Danding Cojuangco, Another case is that of the farm workers in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

Ka Daning criticized the past and present regimes for their bogus agrarian reform programs. He said that liberalization of agriculture proved devastating not only to the farmers but to the economy. “Ang agrikultura ang sandigan ng ekonomiya ngunit hindi binibigyan ng pagpapahalaga ng gobyerno ang mga magsasaka” (Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and yet, the government neglects the farmers). Ka Daning strongly believes that only through genuine agrarian reform can the Philippine agriculture be modernized.

Ka Daning also expressed opposition to the removal of quantitative restrictions in rice importation by 2005. He said the government should ensure food for self-sufficiency.

The KMP, he said, is campaigning for the decrease in the cost of agricultural production, increase in subsidies of palay, copra and corn. The KMP also calls on the National Food Authority (NFA) to subsidize 25 percent of palay production so that consumers may buy P16 to P17 per kilo of rice.

Consequently, Ka Daning called for the immediate pull-out of military troops in the countryside. The peasant leader said that those responsible for the killing of peasant leaders must be prosecuted. He expressed disgust over the recent promotion of Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., believed to be the mastermind in the murder of Eddie Gumanoy, a peasant leader from the Southern Tagalog, in April 2002.

Continuing struggle

Despite the violence and harassment experienced by fellow peasant leaders, Ka Daning said he is all the more emboldened by the sacrifices of colleagues in the movement.

He said that because of the strong unity of farmers, they achieved concrete gains—decrease in land rent, decrease in usury rates, among others. “Dahil organisado ang mga magsasaka, may kakayahan silang harapin ang mga panginoong maylupa at lokal na gobyerno sa paggigiit ng kanilang karapatan.” (Because the farmers are organized, they have the capacity to confront the landlords and local government units in asserting their rights.)

Ka Daning enthusiastically shared the KMP’s international solidarity work. “Dahil malakas ang kilusang magsasaka sa Pilipinas, may batayan para sa international solidarity work.” (Because of the strong peasant movement in the Philippines, there is basis for international solidarity work.) The KMP is a member organization of the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) and Pesticide Action Network-Asia Pacific (PAN-AP). Ka Daning has represented the KMP in various international conferences. “Mahalagang magkaisa ang peasant movements sa buong Asya para labanan ang imperyalismo.” (It is important for peasant movements in Asia to unite against imperialism.)

Pride and Joy

Asked what makes him proud, Ka Daning answered, “Ipinagmamalaki ko ang panganay ko dahil sa desisyon niyang mag-full time sa hanay ng sektor pangkalusugan.” (I am proud of my eldest because she decided to work full-time in the health sector.)

Ka Daning said he told her daughter Joy, who at first wanted to work abroad, that they do not need a big amount of money. Joy took up Physical Therapy. “Ang mahalaga, maggamit mo ang pinag-aralan mo para sa serbisyo sa ating bayan.” (What is important is that you use your education to serve the people.)

Ka Daning said he is also proud of the progressive movement. “Walang pinipili ang kilusan. Kahit mahirap, kinikilala. Nagbibigay ito ng tiwala, posisyon batay sa ginagampanang gawain at paninindigan.” (The movement is not choosy. It recognizes even the poor. It gives trust and position based on tasks that are being done and principles.)

Ka Daning said solemnly, almost like a prayer, “Alam ko, darating ang tagumpay. Ang masa ang mapagpasya. Darating ang araw, ang mamamayan ay magkakaroon ng buhay na marangal at kasiya-siya.” (I know that victory will come. The masses are decisive. The day will come when the people will have a decent and pleasant life.) 6

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