Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) farmers denounced the enactment of RA 112252, which allows foreigners to own and use land in the Philippines for up to 99 years. The law amended the Investors’ Lease Act, which previously allowed foreign ownership of land for up to 50 years. The law also permits foreigners to sublease land to other foreign or local entrepreneurs. Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed the law on September 3.

“The law surrenders Philippine sovereignty and domestic interests at the altar of foreign big business and a few domestic big landlords,” the KMP stated. Farmers called it “an outright betrayal” of the interests of Filipinos and a threat to the rights and welfare of millions of landless people.

The law will result in intensified land grabbing, especially as landlords and businesses rush to claim large parcels of land to offer to foreign investors.

“This means more evictions, harassment, and violence, especially against peasants, fisherfolks, indigenous peoples, and urban poor,” the KMP said.

The group added that the law will also cause widespread land speculation, including agricultural land that should be devoted to food production. Farmers are calling for land to be given to farmers and Filipinos, not to foreigners.