Soldiers to remain in Hacienda Luisita despite opposition from farmers

There will be no pullout of military forces in the disputed Hacienda Luisita estate in Tarlac province despite the demand of farmer groups in the area for the soldiers to leave.   “As of now, we do not have any plan to pull out from the Hacienda because the barangay officials themselves are requesting… they support our presence,” said Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, spokesman of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division.   The 4,915-hectare sugar plantation owned by relatives of President Benigno Aquino III has been the subject of a legal tug-of-war between its owners and farmer-beneficiaries of the government’s agrarian reform program.   Farmers who want soldiers out of the area are members of the Anyansa ng Manggagawan Bukid sa Asyenda Lusita, the Luisita Unyon ng mga Manggagawa, and the Luisita Peasants and People’s Alliance.   The groups claimed that the soldiers have no business staying inside Hacienta Luisita because it is the subject of an agrarian issue. They also said they are threatened by the military’s presence.   On Nov. 16, 2004, 12 picketing farmers and two children were killed and dozens were injured when police and soldiers stormed a blockade by plantation workers. The protesters were pushing for fairer wages, increased benefits and a greater commitment for national land reform.   Ileto said the barangay officials and their constituents inside the hacienda may be even “angered” if they leave the area because they see the military presence there as “necessary.”   Citing a Jan. 21 manifesto issued by the barangay officials, Ileto said: “They believe that the presence of the military in that area is necessary in order to maintain the peace and also serve to monitor and immediately respond to security, disaster and development concerns on a day to day basis."   Ileto said the military believe that the “favorable feeling” of the barangay officials to the military “is the true sentiments of the people in the area.”   Last year, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision paving the way for the distribution of the hacienda lands to the farmers who claim to be the “legitimate owners” of the estate. The Hacienda Luisita Inc, which controls the hacienda, has filed a motion of reconsideration. — KBK, GMA News