NDF Far South Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Nov 15): Mass action against DMCI land monopoly is progressing in Far South Mindanao
Ka Efren Aksasato, Spokesperson
NDFP Far South Mindanao
14 November 2017
An incessant mass action against the David M. Consunji Incorporated (DMCI) land monopoly that started in August is progressing in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. Accumulated parcels of land totaling to about 195 hectares have been occupied and cultivated by nearly 140 T’boli-Manobo peasant families who have for so long struggled to repossess their ancestral lands purloined by the big landlord-comprador-warlord Consunji.
The reclaimed area is a portion of Consunji’s 10,990 hectare land holding in the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat boundary he speciously obtained through the government’s Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) program. It is also within the 3,000 hectare coal mine of the DMC-Construction Equipment and Resources Incorporated (DMC-CERI).
The DMCI came into the area in the middle of 1980 after acquiring the logging concession Sarmiento Industries Incorporated. It subsequently continued the logging operations until the IFMA was constituted three decades ago.
In the process of its IFMA implementation, the DMCI viciously drove the T’boli-Manobos out of their lands by employing its private army and the mercenary government forces to secure its operations. Not long after, large plantations of Arabica coffee and commercial tree species were developed by its subsidiary Silvicultural Industries Incorporated (SII).
Thirty years of unrelenting struggle against Consunji’s tyranny has taught the T’boli-Manobos the importance of organizing their people and forging firm unity. Amidst DMCI and state coercion, the Lumads stand up for what is rightfully theirs – a land for their people to till.
In their initial undertaking, the Lumad peasants were able to occupy an estimated 150 hectare parcel which was apportioned to around a hundred families. The arrogated land is located within the boundaries of sitios Sinambalot, Bermuda and Celtics in Brgy. Monteverde, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
Their triumph has conclusively influenced other Lumad communities to pursue with the struggle. Barely three months later, thirty-four families occupied a 45-hectare area within SII’s Dawang Coffee Plantations in sitios Tawan Dagat and Spartan in Brgy. Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
The local Lumad and peasant organization have created various committees tasked to organize and oversee the land occupation, manage the production campaign, and supervise the education and training of the beneficiaries. An intensive education work is currently underway to equip the beneficiaries and their supporters with the necessary principles of their political struggle and the genuine agrarian reform.
Among the plans laid out by the group is putting up a farmers’ cooperative to carry out services for the beneficiaries and other peasants in the locality.
The T’boli-Manobos are optimistic that their struggle would inspire and impel other dispossessed Lumads and peasants to firmly unite and fight ceaselessly against Consunji and the state’s intensified incursions. Besides, they have definitely proven that a decisive action is very crucial in resolving their land problem.
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