On Nov. 16, 2004, seven strikers were killed at the picket line outside Gate 1 of the sugar mill when soldiers and police fired at thousands of protesters manning the barricades. Eight more – including an acclaimed bishop, a pastor, city councilor – who were active in or supported the workers’ struggle have also died.

By Gitnang Luzon News Service
Posted by Bulatlat

As they did two years ago, friends and supporters of the Hacienda Luisita workers will gather on Thursday, Nov. 16 in Gate 1 of the sugar mill of the vast sugar estate owned by the family of former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.

Instead of erecting barricades and manning picket lines, this time they will hold a solemn ecumenical service to pay tribute to the 15 workers and their supporters – among them a bishop, pastor, city councilor and a Bayan Muna leader – who died in the “historic and victorious” Hacienda Luisita strike and renew their vow to continue the “struggle for land jobs and justice.”

Rene Galang, president of United Luisita Workers’ Union [ULWU], said this year’s commemoration of the Luisita massacre is also aimed at strengthening the gains of the workers, most notable of which is the revocation of the stock distribution plan and the gradual transformation of the 6,000-sugar plantation into a land where food crops are now grown and enjoyed by the hacienda community.

“We owe to the martyrs of Hacienda Luisita whatever triumphs we now enjoy,” Galang told GLNS.

The commemoration will also be a reunion of some sort for individuals and organizations who worked together in support of the striking workers.

On Nov. 16, 2004, seven strikers were killed at the picket line outside Gate 1 of the sugar mill when soldiers and police fired at thousands of protesters manning the barricades. The seven Luisita martyrs were Jesus Laza, Jhaivie Basilio, Juancho Sanchez, Jessie Valdez, Jun David, Jaime Pastidio and Adriano Caballero.

8 more

In the ensuing period, from December 2004 to October of this year, eight more leaders and supporters of the workers were gunned down in separate incidents allegedly by military agents. The six were Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union president Ricardo Ramos, ULWU director Tirso Cruz, peasant leaders Marcelino Beltran and Ben Concepcion, Bayan Muna secretary-general Florante Collantes, Tarlac City councilor Abelardo Ladera and Iglesia Filipina Independiente clergy Fr. William Tadena and Bishop Alberto Ramento.

The strike ended 13 months later on Dec. 8, 2005 with the workers claiming victory over one of the most influential political clans in the country.

Delegations coming from the regional and provincial chapters of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and party list organizations Anak Pawis and Bayan Muna will converge in San Fernando, Pampanga in the morning of Nov. 16 and motor to Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City where a press conference and the ecumenical service will be held.

A Canadian fact-finding mission will be part of the international delegation, according to Karapatan-Central Luzon.

In the national capital region, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement) has also declared Nov. 16 as a national day of protest against trade union repression and the unabated extra-judicial killing of militant activists.

The Nov. 16 rally in the Philippines will have international support as Filipinos in 10 countries are expected to stage parallel actions before the Philippine embassies and consulates. Among the countries where protest actions are expected to be staged by Filipinos on that date are the U.S. and Canada. GLNS/(Bulatlat.com)

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