Fascist State on a Rampage:
The heinous Hacienda Luisita massacre

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

The massacre of unarmed strikers and their supporters in Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City on November 16 was the month's most marked violation of human rights.

The entire country was stunned when about a thousand soldiers, policemen and paid goons of the Cojuangco family violently dispersed striking hacienda workers along with their supporters. Reminiscent of the Mendiola Massacre in 1987, police elements and three battalions of the 703rd Infantry Brigade used two armored personnel carriers, ten military trucks, tear gas and high-powered firearms such as M60 machine guns to demolish the picket line of the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU), then on the eleventh day of their strike.

Due to the indiscriminate shooting, 14 demonstrators were confirmed killed�nine of them due to bullet wounds in various parts of their bodies. Among those killed were Boy Versola; Jun David, 27, of Barangay Cutcut; Juan Sanchez, 20, Adriano Caballero, Jesus Valdez, 30, all of Barangay Balete; Jhaire Basilio, 21, of Barangay Mapalacsiao, Tarlac city; Jaime Pastidio of Barangay Motrico, La Paz, Tarlac; Jesus Laza, 34, of Barangay Parang, Concepcion, Tarlac; and Neng Balete.

Seven bodies have so far been found. The bodies of others whose killings were reported by witnesses have yet to be recovered. According to ULWU and CATLU members, 39 sakadas or migrant farm workers are also missing in the aftermath of the bloody dispersal. The farm workers were recruited by three contractors from the Visayas and Mindanao.

One hundred eleven people sustained wounds in various parts of their bodies. Many of them were brought to various hospitals in Tarlac City, with others undergoing treatment in their own homes. Among those wounded were Florida Sibayan, Luisito Versola, Jesus Sosa, Sajid Ramos, Berto Sidora, Ricky Mendoza and a councilor of Barangay Mapalacsiao.

One hundred eleven people were illegally arrested and detained�16 of them at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Tarlac (CIDG) and the majority at Camp Macabulos, San Vicente, Tarlac City.

Prior to this, KARAPATAN had also recorded cases of harassment and intimidation, several instances of assault and dispersal of the workers' picket line and the destruction and seizure of property of 78 people in relation to the strike.

07 December 2004
English Edition

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