Oficial Publication of Rural Missionaries of the (RMP)

April to June 2016 Vol. 43 No. 6

Established on August 15, 1969, RMP is the oldest Mission Partner of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP)

Eliza Candiban (ive months pregnant) and Rolinda Paonil (two months pregnant). Farmers protest against government’s neglect However, the “Kidapawan Massacre” did not cow the hungry farmers to sustain their mass actions demanding for relief. Farmers’ protest continued in different regions in the country - in , more than 5,000 farmers joined the protest; 3,000 in , South ; 2,000 in de Oro; and thousands Kidapawan Violence in , Saranggani, City, Government neglect amidst and City, Zamboanga worsening landlessness Del Sur. Moreover in Cagayan Valley, ast April 1, the whole dispersed them by opening ire about 3,000 farmers protested nation was devastated at the farmers, resulting the the effects of the drought and when hungry farmers who deaths of 2, wounding more L demanded food aid. In Negros, demanded food aid were met than 30 and illegal arrest of 78 farm workers are demanding with bullets by state forces in farmers, including the elderly government aid as they are Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. and pregnant women. facing “tiempo muerto” or The 6,000-farmer protest led Among killed was Darwin the dead season or the non- by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Sulang, a 22 year old farmer existence of sources of livelihood Pilipinas – Southern from Binuongan in as the lands are monocropped Region (KMP – SMR) was Arakan town. Included on those with sugarcane. The dead triggered by the grave effects illegally arrested and charged season in Negros is estimated to of extreme drought but with direct assault were six affect 5 million farmers. exacerbated by systematic elderly and three pregnant Landlessness as the root cause government neglect. They were women: Dionisio Alagos, 60 of farmers problems demanding 15,000 sacks of years old; Gerardo Pequero, rice and barricaded a national 66; Crisanto Carlum, 72; Jovita Many condemned President highway for three days until Debalid, 68; Lolita Porras, 65; Aquino’s silence and inaction elements of the Philippine and Valentina Berden, 78, Arlene of the worsening hunger and National Police violently Candiban (six months pregnant), Continued on Page 3 Page 2 - Sparks On this issue Editorial Frontpage 1- Kidapawan Violence: President-elect Duterte and Government neglect amidst the realization of Land Reform worsening landlessness Editorial 2- President-elect Duterte and the realization of Land Reform News 4 - Rural Missionaries welcome “Ka Paeng” Mariano as the incoming DAR Sec 5 - SOS network urges President- elect Duterte: Ensure safe balik komunidad, balik eskwesla of people Relection The situation of the Rural (PD 27) in 1972 of the Marcos 6 - Time for Faith Relection Poor, remains engrossed in dictatorship to the Republic Act Strengthening of Commitment poverty and hunger, due to No. 6657 or Comprehensive 7 - A Cry for a Renewed Religious landlessness and monopoly Agrarian Reform Program Life control of the rich over vast (CARP) in 1988 of the Cory tracks of land. The six years of Aquino regime, until its modal station the Araneta Aquino presidency worsened expiration on June 30, 2014, Estate in , the already impoverished state landlessness persisted as a . Lands are being of the rural poor, by opposing reality, on its exacerbated state. grabbed by the Clark Green City project in , in the genuine agrarian reform, As fundamental lessons Paciic Economic Zone and violating human rights through derived from past agrarian Freeport (APECO) in Casiguran, its counter-insurgency program reform programs, the farmers’ Aurora, CALABARZON project, Oplan Bayanihan (OpBay) and movement took the moral task of expansion of corporate other neo-liberal policies that pushing for genuine land reform, plantations in Mindanao and snatched away lands from through the advancement of the . Also, farmers and the peasants and ravaged the passage of House Bill No. 262 isherfolk communities are being already impaired agricultural or the Genuine Agrarian Reform displaced by the conversion sector. Bill (GARB). Its main content, and privatization of bay areas, On June 30, President-elect the free distribution of land and eco-tourism, mining operations, Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte will a promise of emancipation of infrastructure and other serve as the next president, Filipino farmers from the chains government projects. whom the Filipino farmers have of land rent and other forms of challenged to realize “genuine semi-feudal exploitation. With no land and government support, the rural poor are change” by keeping his promises Peasant landlessness continue doomed to hunger, such as the on agrarian reform issues. in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, 6,000-farmer protest for food “Land for the tillers” remain Hacienda Dolores in , aid in North Cotabato. Instead of aid, state forces demonstrated the cry of the farmers that Yulo King Ranch in , its utmost brutality by opening remained past and present Hacienda Yulo in , ire and killing at least two, regime disregarded. From the Hacienda Looc in , the wounding many and illegally Presidential Decree No. 27 location of the MRT 7 inter- arresting farmers, including the elderly and pregnant women. issues, the Lumad and farmers and called Page 3 - Sparks Contributing to worsening of Mindanao, annually held on # 101 landlessness, the Aquino their Manilakbayan to hold “church people to help bring regime’s promotion of the Aquino presidency liable about radical changes in order widespread mining operations and demanded justice for to restore to agriculture and through the Mining Act of the killed leaders of Alcadev rural people their just value as 1995 and Executive Order Lumad school, as well as the basis for a healthy economy. No. 79, that aside from Lumad victims of massacres, As per teachings of the beloved displacing communities of extra-judicial killings and Pope Francis in his Apostolic indigenous people and farmers, massive militarization of their Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium destroyed mountains’ beauty communities. (“The Joy of the Gospel”): and plundered our national As the Aquino 6-year presidency ‘53. Just as the commandment patrimony. Mining’s usual failed the Filipino farmers “Thou shalt not kill” sets a clear victims are the Lumad of aspirations, it is a rising task limit in order to safeguard the Mindanao, Igorot of Cordillera, of the RMP to shape up public value of human life, today we Ayta of Central and other opinion and generate broad also have to say “thou shalt not” indigenous people across the support for fundamental to an economy of exclusion and country. Blacksand mining reforms. The Rural Poor inequality. Such an economy also took its toll in affecting the fundamentally demands: kills. ‘ communities and livelihood of • Genuine Land Reform and He preached to oppose as the isherfolk. Mining not only National Industrialization destroyed our land but also our expressed by, “No to the new beautiful rivers and beaches, • Social Justice idolatry of money [55-56],” that are shown even in the By - Papal encyclical Laborem “No to a inancial system which social media, affected public Exercens # 103 of 1,981 St. John serves rules rather than [57- health and sources of livelihood. Paul II stated that “Agriculture 58],” “No to the inequality which spawns violence [59-60] “. # To drumbeat their legitimate is of fundamental importance” Kidapawan Violence from Page 1 Compostela Valley and Davao Aid in, Soldiers Out’ to gather provinces. At present, about support for the farmers in violent dispersal. Farmer 1 million hectares of land Mindanao and other regions victims asserted that are being converted into oil affected by drought. Alongwith, the ill-effects of drought palm estates located in Sultan it is to inform and encourage was exacerbated of their Kudarat, North Cotabao, Caraga the public to join the farmers’ landlessness as they have no or and Northern Mindanao region. demand for military pull-out and stop to human rights limited sources of livelihood, Support the farmers struggle abuses. Farmers attribute the thus, drying of their crops could for land, against hunger, government abuses to Aquino’s certainly put them to hunger poverty and repression counter-insurgency program, and poverty. The women, men, religious and Oplan Bayanihan. (Photos by lay workers of the RMP joined Kilab Multimedia) # Farmers and indigenous the nation in condemning peoples in Mindanao remained the Aquino regime’s brutality victims of landlessness, land against the hungry farmers grabbing and displacement. The and called for justice and region hosts the accountability. RMP said that largest plantations of rubber, while Mindanao farmers banana and pineapple in the and Lumad indigenous were country such as of the giant already victims of massive and fruit companies Del Monte, systematic militarization, the Sumifru, Dole and their massacre adds to the long list subsidiaries. Their plantations of crimes against the people have displaced and continue committed by the Aquino to encroach lands of peasant government. communities in Bukidnon, As response, RMP initiated a , , relief drive dubbed as ‘Food Page 4 - Sparks News Rural Missionaries welcome “Ka Paeng” Mariano as the incoming DAR Sec

exceptional as the ofice has been colluding with landlords, local and foreign businesses to trample farmers’ rights to land since its inception. Mariano started as a peasant leader in and became a leader of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) in 1984, he women, men religious subsequently, being the systematic cancellations of CLOA, Tand lay workers of the national chairperson of Kilusang CLT and EP and displacement of Rural Missionaries of the Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) farmers and more. Philippines (RMP) welcome in 1993 up to present. He was Mariano was also targeted by the the appointment of Rafael “Ka then Secretary-General of KMP Arroyo regime when it issued Paeng” Mariano as the next during the Mendiola Massacre Executive Order 464 or the Secretary of the Department of in January 22, 1987. Calibrated Pre-emptive Response Agrarian Reform by President- (CPR), the political repression In 1998 to 2004, Ka Paeng was elect Rodrigo Duterte last against activists who were elected as National Chairman of June 1. Ka Paeng, the veteran demanding Arroyo’s resignation Bagong Alyansang Makabayan peasant leader who survived after the “Hello Garci” scandal. (Bayan) and a leader of Asian the Mendiola Massacre, Mariano was among the Batasan Peasant Coalition (APC), currently the National President 5, or Makabayan lawmakers International League of People’s of Kilusang Magbubukid accused with rebellion and Struggle (ILPS) and others. ng Pilipinas (KMP) and detained inside the premises of former Anakpawis Party-list Ka Paeng served as a the House of Representatives. Representative was nominated Representative of Anakpawis As irst wave of measures, Ka Partylist from 2004 to 2013 in by the National Democratic Paeng announced that he would Congress. His lagship legislative Front of the Philippines (NDFP) look critically on how DAR measure is the Genuine Agrarian as response to the president- Reform Bill (GARB), which main implemented the Supreme Court elect’s offer cabinet post to the content is “free distribution of decision to distribute Hacienda “left.” land to farmers,” the return of the Luisita lands among farm Ka Paeng’s commitment to multi-billion peso coconut levy to workers, and the real situation serving the Filipino farmers the farmers through the Genuine of cancelled CLOAs, CLTs and EPs is reputable and undisputable Small Coconut Farmers Fund, and whether farmer-beneiciaries as he is leading farmers for the Rice Industry Development are still on land or already have decades for the advancement Act (RIDA), pulling out of the been displaced. He promised that of genuine land reform. His country’s agri sector from the no farmers will be displaced from taking over of the department WTO – Agreement on Agriculture their lands during his term in (WTO – AoA), the investigation of is viewed as extra-ordinary and ofice. # News Page 5 - Sparks SOS network urges President-elect Duterte: Ensure safe balik komunidad, balik eskwesla of Lumad people

ave Our Schools SNetwork (SOS Network) expressed solidarity with the struggling indigenous communities of Mindanao, who despite threats of military harassment and rights violations with the last stretch of the implementation of Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan, set to start school year 2016- 2017 with high hopes and strong determination. In a press conference held last June 6, 2016 at the University of the even the killing of their school’s With the opening of classes, Philippines – Diliman, the SOS administrators and leaders – the SOS Network calls on the Network reported that about here they are pursuing their authorities to ensure the safe 5,100 Lumad learners and their humble but noble aspiration return of the students and 372 teachers are earnestly to learn and work towards teachers to their respective awaiting the start of classes this the betterment of their schools and their undisrupted June. Last June 1, about 175 communities,” expressed classes. teachers were sent off to about Reina Requioma, SOS Network “Indeed, change should come 67 IP schools of the Salugpongan Spokesperson. for our distressed indigenous Community Learning Center and Despite the good news, SOS peoples! We are urging Mindanao Interfaith Services Network remains fretful as President-elect Rodrigo Duterte Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) in there were reports that some to order the pull-out of all AFP Southern Mindanao and other schools will not be able to personnel in communities and neighboring regions. A number resume their operations due schools and facilitate the safe of newly-established schools are to military presence within or return of all displaced Lumad. also set to start operating this near communities. As a result, Needless to say, we will remain school year all over Mindanao. over 1,000 students will be steadfast in our goal to ensure “There is nothing more inspiring conducting their classes in that these Lumad children enjoy than the resolve of these Lumad makeshift classrooms at the their right to education, together children, their families and Haran compound in Davao with their families residing in communities. Despite having and Sports Complex in communities free from AFP experienced multitude of . They form part atrocities” Requioma ended. violations wreaked by military of over 4,000 individuals who (Photo by SOS Network) # personnel – encampments in have been residing in these https://saveourschoolsnetwork. their schools and communities, evacuation centers since last wordpress.com/ threat and harassment, and year. Page 6 - Sparks

MP Bicol held their TFR last RApril 12-13, 2016 at the RGS Women Training Center, Legazpi City, . Women religious, diocesan clergy and lay workers from the Diocese of Legazpi, Naga and attended the activity. Farmers and isher folks from , Albay, and Sorsogon enlightened the participants with their regarding the social of Dulangan testiied at the experiences. RMP National realities vis-à-vis God’s words activity. The regional peasant facilitated a Biblico-Thelological from Scriptures the church situation was discussed by the Relection regarding the social doctrines and the KMP peasant leader. The BTR social realities heard vis-à-vis challenge of Pope Francis, being was given by the RMP National God’s words from Scriptures. the jubilee year of mercy. Coordinator regarding the Participants expressed their The TFR of RMP social realities vis-à-vis God’s words from Scriptures. The Time for Faith Relection Socsksargen was held last April TFR was very solemn as some Strengthening of Commitment 29 to 30 at the participants became emotional Oblates of Mary especially the portion of the Immaculate para-liturgy in paying tribute commitment to journey with the (OMI) Spirituality Center, to John Calaba and the victims farmers and isher folks against . Participants of the Kidapawan carnage. large scale mining companies were mostly BEC lay church Participants enriched their faith and the struggle for Genuine leaders from the nearby parishes to dedicate their mission with Agrarian Reform. from the Diocese of Cotabato. the rural poor and to “journey RMP Luzon Assembly was Farmer survivors of Kidapawan with them” in their struggle for held last April 25-27, 2016 carnage and tribal leaders land and livelihood. # at the Sacro Retreat House, City. Men and Women religious, diocesan clergy and lay workers from Central Luzon, Cordillera and Bicol attended the assembly. Survivors of Kidapawan carnage testiied the traumatic experience and appealed for supports from the participants. Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano discussed national peasant situation and the realization for Genuine Agrarian Reform and National Industrialization. RMP Instructor's Training held last June 21-22, 2016 at OSB Socio-Pastoral The BTR was given by the Apostolate, Caysasay Training Center, Brgy. Butong, Taal, Batangas. Delegates from RMP National Ofice, Central Luzon, Socskargen, Southern Mindanao RMP National Coordinator Region, Cordillera, Bicol, and Order of Saint Benedict attended the activity. Page 7 - Sparks Community Primary Health Care (CPHC) and RMP Socsksargen during a medical- dental mission in Lamba, Surallah, South Cotabato last May 4, 2016.

A Cry for a Renewed Religious Life people and events call me. woman religious (nun) has meddle in worldly affairs.” The leadership seems to have A been working with the “I dreamed of being able to live shifted their paradigm, a shift rural poor for quite a time. She my faith within the congregation, from a received faith to an was granted permission by in my time also in society. I interiorized faith, because when her Superior with the signed dreamed of the freedom to she went home in December form but the subsequent think and express myself, to 2011 she shared she underwent congregational leaders wanted be critical to the oppressive interrogation, as if they have her to go back to the community social structures in society, seen like someone with a leprosy because of : her joining rallies without fear of being labeled or who must be banished at all or mass mobilizations seen on misunderstood.” costs, an experience of being TV advocating issues that the “I dreamed of being different homeless, traveling light with sisters in the community are not within the unity of faith, little baggage, yet accused of in favor. Talks among sisters and remaining myself yet being a source of shame, a rebel. had long been circulating, in solidarity with the poor But for her, the more than four that she be dismissed by marginalized sectors. Ultimately, decades of her ministry were the congregation but they I hoped to be able to exercise the important and beautiful years (leadership) perhaps are mercy charism in my missionary spent journeying with the poor having cold feet to personally endeavors as imperative of confront her. the gospel without being sectors, a rich adventure with In one of the intimate marginalized. Now that I feel the gospel, and the church social conversation with her she shared an outsider of sort from the teachings illed with wonderful “I had a dream to be able to congregation, perhaps my times as well as challenges. accompany the poor, as that was determination will be even more Finally her sharing was, “ I will the advocacy of our foundress vigorous than before, I will not remain an activist in a church that “the poor need help today keep silent.” which would be open to the not next week”.. the excluded, Someone told me one day ..”take future, and would not succumb to the ignored, without having risks, endure the blows, but the temptation to withdraw into to explain or justify myself to don’t be silent”…by remaining them who are secure in their constantly on guard, and being its shell, a church with a human comfortable zones. To be able suspicious of everything that face, a more tolerant and less to go where the needy calls me does not move within its cold church without taboos and without having to give advance immediate circle, ends up losing prohibitions, for those who just notice. To be able to show my contact with society. I just act want to be comfortable sitting indignation at injustice, violence, according to the dictates of my in an arm chair disconnected and managed famine or hunger heart and my convictions, guided from the poor whom we without being considered to by the gospel and go where pledged to serve." RMP National Board

Sr. M. Francis Añover, RSM Chairperson & National Coordinator SPARKS serves as a news bulletin for all RMP members and friends. It is envisioned that all Sr. Claudia Sampal, OSB materials published must come primarily from Secretary & Eastern Visayas Coordinator the organization’s regional network. Inquiries may be sent to: Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS Treasurer & Bicol Coordinator Rural Missionaries of the Philippines B6 L24 Legislative Road, Violago Homes Regional Coordinators: Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Sr. Minela Alvarez, RGS (Northern Luzon) Tel No. (+632) 961-5094 Fr. Marcelito Paez (Central Luzon) Email ads: Fr. Irvin Mangmang,O’Carm (Central Visayas) [email protected] Bro. Andy Serain,OFM, (Western Visayas) [email protected] Facebook: rmp.no Sr. Famita Somogod, MSM (Northern Mindanao) Twitter: @rmp_natl Evelyn Urbiztondo (Caraga) Website: rmp-national.weebly.com Sr. Merlita Rodulfo, MSM (Western Mindanao) Amy Pond (Southern Mindanao) EDITORIAL BOARD Maricel Salem (Socksargen) Sr. M. Francis Añover, rsm Coni de Luna AMRSP Board Liaison Gigi Morilla Sr. Adele Ygrubay, OSB, Prioress OSB Fr. Leo Dalmao, CMF, Provincial CMF

Join FORP! The Friends of the Rural Poor (FoRP) is part of the Peasant Advocacy Work (PAW) program of the RMP. It is based on RMP’s commitment to “encourage and motivate people of good will, especially church people, to work and commit themselves to the struggle of the rural poor and to contribute to the social transformation towards becoming a Church of the Poor” (PCP II). Be a peasant advocate. Serve the rural poor.