The National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Negros led farmers and farm workers in holding a 2-day campout in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office in Bacolod City on November 6-7. The farmers who participated in the campout came from different towns and cities in Negros Occidental.

The farmers called on the agency to stop the destructive conversion of agricultural land in the province. They demanded that the agency prioritize genuine land reform that would benefit the poorest farmers.

The groups also criticized the large-scale importation of sugar in the country, to the detriment of small farmers. This issue affects around 300,000 farmers and farm workers in sugar plantations.

On the first day of the campout, the groups commemorated the 6th anniversary of the martyrdom of Atty. Ben Ramos, a human rights defender and lawyer for farmers. State forces killed Atty. Ramos on November 6, 2018 in Kabankalan City.

He was a member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) which is closely allied with and supportive of marginalized sectors such as farmers, fisherfolk, and workers on the island of Negros. He also served as director of Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group, Inc, an institution that supports poor sectors.

During the candle-lighting ceremony, KMP-Negros and NFSW paid tribute to Atty. Ramos’ dedication and life to marginalized sectors of society. They also called for justice for him and all victims of extrajudicial killings by state forces.

Leaders of the masses and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates Ronnel Arambulo and Eufemia Doringo, joined the first day of the campout. “Already unheeding the farmers’ demands for land rights, the lawyer who helped them was even killed,” Arambulo said.