Farmers picket LTA building in Makati to push land rights

MANILA, Philippines - Militant farmers picketed on Friday morning a building owned by the family of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in Makati to push for the distribution of his family's hacienda in Negros Occidental to land reform beneficiaries. Radio dzBB reported that members of Task Force Mapalad went to the LTA Building and held a program calling for the immediate distribution of the land. "Kami ay napunta rito para personal ipaalam kay FG na hingi sa kanya ang bacan ipamigay sa benepisyaryo [We are here to personally ask the First Gentleman to finally distribute the lands to the rightful beneficiaries]," the protesters said. Farmers' groups blamed Arroyo for the continuing delay in the distribution of the land and for the growing restiveness of farmer beneficiaries in Negros Occidental. Earlier, Task Force Mapalad (TFM) president Jose Rodito Angeles challenged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to fast-track the distribution of Hacienda Bacan to demonstrate her commitment to land reform. Angeles claimed Rivulet Corp., supposedly owned by the First Gentleman, put up a strong resistance against distribution of the property. He added that Hacienda Bacan had been put under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program through a voluntary offer to sell made by then Rivulet Corp. president Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, the First Gentleman's brother. - GMANews.TV