The 5-day Central Luzon farmers protest camp ended in a protest to hold Rodrigo Duterte accountable for his crimes against humanity. They participated in the action at Liwasang Bonifacio held to coincide with Duterte’s 80th birthday. On their last night at the camp, they lit candles for the victims of Duterte’s extrajudicial killings.

The farmers from Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura and their supporters camped in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform starting March 24. They presented to the agency the struggles of farmers in the region against widespread conversion of agricultural lands, and for justice for victims of state violence.

“Duterte’s arrest at the ICC is a step forward, but the fight for justice is not over,” KMP chairman Danilo Ramos said. “Duterte and his co-perpetrators must face the full weight of justice. Filipinos will not stop until Duterte is held accountable for his crimes, especially of the thousands of lives lost under his brutal regime.”

Ramos also slammed Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s refusal to pursue the case against Duterte which he said reflects his complicity in defending the former president.

On the last night of the camp, they presented their “gift” to Duterte in the form of a bloody box with balloons peppered with calls. It serves as a reminder of bloody legacy of Duterte dubbed the “Massacre King” by the farmers. KMP recorded no less than 22 cases of massacres under his regime, apart from the thousands killed in his fake war on drugs.

Farmers remembered Central Luzon martyrs including former KMP secretary general Ka Joseph Canlas, who died during Duterte’s time while detained on trumped-up charges