Violence erupted anew in Hacienda Yulo in Calamba, Laguna when six farmers were beaten up by armed men who were enforcing their eviction from the land.
According to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the farmers were beaten up at Sitio Buntog, Barangay Canlubang at around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The gunmen blocked the quick reaction team, which the group said, were accompanied by the farmers on documenting the recent incidents of “arson, demolition, and harassment” in the area.
Support group Defend Yulo Farmers said those hurt were Pedro Mangubat, Hermie de Leon, Chris Laurel, William Caranat, Florencio Masongsong, and a minor.
Sitio Buntog is part of the 7,100-hectare Hacienda Yulo sugar estate in Laguna. It spans the cities of Calamba, Cabuyao, and Sta. Rosa.
Just last weekend, the armed men set on fire the houses of Freddie Cacao and Mario Mangubat over a land dispute in Buntog.
The farmers have been struggling for decades to assert their rights to the land, which they and their ancestors have lived in since 1911.
Citing a report from the inspection team, the KMP said there were more houses inside the community that have been demolished.
The Defend Yulo Farmers called for support and donations for the Hacienda Yulo Farmers with hashtags #StopTheAttacks and #JusticeForHYFarmers.