15 November 2007
At 4:30 am yesterday , the Sumilao farmers started to walk the distance of 22 kilometers from Daraga, Albay to Ligao City. It was a difficult day for them because it rained during their entire walk. Nevertheless, they managed to arrive in Ligao city at around 11 a.m.
12 November 2007
The Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice Campaign carries various issues on the state and implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). It is initiated by the Sumilao Farmers primarily to reclaim the 144-hectare landholding in their hometown. Although they have particular calls such as revocation of the conversion order, they are also calling for the extension and reformation of the CARP, and recognition for a need of a Land Use Law, which, would redound to the benefit of the whole peasantry across the country.
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/11 November) – Members of the Mapalad group of farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon who are staging a two-march to the national capital have insisted that Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman "has the power and jurisdiction to cover the 144-hectare agricultural land under CARP despite a pending case at the Office of the President."
The Sumilao Farmers spent the entire morning for reflection session. They were asked two questions: What is the most striking experience for you in the Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice Campaign? and what are your expectations from the campaign starting tomorrow until we reach Malacanang?
CALBAYOG CITY, Western Samar (BALAOD Mindanaw) — It had been a hot afternoon when the Sumilao farmers walked their way to the City at around 4:00pm. They proceeded to the Our Lady of Porziuncola Hospital to bring their fellow marcher, Restituto "Toto" Anlicao, who is suffering from pain due to complications brought about by his foot blisters. For 8 days, Anlicao endured the wound on his feet and walked the unpaved and muddy roads of Western Samar. Last night, his blood pressure shot up as the wound may have already reached his bones. Anlicao is one among the 54 marchers reclaiming the 144 hectare land in San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon and a qualified farmer beneficiary of the said land.
What a journey it has been, and the end is not in sight…
It was on 24 October 2007 when the Sumilao Farmers first set their feet in the islands of Visayas. And it was in the Municipality of Liloan where they have started the Visayas leg. As to this day, they have negotiated not less than 300 kilometers. Yesterday, they negotiated the 36 kilometers stretch of roads from the Municipality of San Jorge to Calbayog City.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/04 November 2007) — They shall have walked a month by the time they reach Luzon on November 9, these farmers from Sumilao in Bukidnon.
They were 53 when they started their walked to Malacanang “for land and justice” on October 10, they have walked at least 500 kilometers from Mindanao to Visayas despite the sudden change of weather, slept where they could find refuge for the night, mostly on the floor, but Malacanang continues to ignore their protest.
Appeal from Sen. Gringo Honasan
30 October 2007
While the Sumilao farmers were negotiating the roads from the Municipality of Tolosa to Tacloban City with 23 kilometers, some Ateneo students were organizing a concert for a cause in Route 26 in Manila – a small feat and humble contribution to the sacrifice of the Sumilao Farmers.
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/31 October) –Hundreds of Subanon farmers, women and youth, trooped to different government agencies here Wednesday to protest the alleged encroachment of their lands by the Zamboanga City Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Ecozone) in the mountain barangays of Patalon, Labuan and Limpapa.
GINGOOG CITY (MindaNews/15 October) – At noon today, 54 farmers on foot reached St. Rita’s Church at the heart of Gingoog City, after walking for approximately 196 kilometers from Sumilao, Bukidnon. The farmers launched the march to protest the government’s inaction on their claims to agricultural lands in Bukidnon. The march, which started on October 10, is on its sixth day.
MANGIMA CANYON, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (MindaNews/10 Oct) – Their slippers had seen better days and may not survive the two-month march but that appears to be the least of their worries.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/09 October) — Ten years after their hunger strike, the militant Sumilao Farmers are back on the streets, this time, in a “march for land” from Bukidnon to Manila.
