The violence that marred the strike of plantation and milling workers of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita on Nov. 16 was bound to happen and government authorities may have to account for it.
Month: November 2004
Hacienda Luisita Belongs to Cojuangco Tenants, Ex-DAR Exec Says
In a deal with government funders 46 years ago, Don Jose Cojuangco pledged to distribute the land now occupied by Hacienda Luisita to tenant farmers. A former director of the Department of Agrarian Reform says a court order binds the Cojuangcos to do so. By Dabet Castañeda Bulatlat.com The Cojuangco family, owners of the embattled…
The Hacienda Luisita Massacre, Landlordism and State Terrorism
The public outrage ignited by the Luisita Massacre should also keep an eye on other potential flashpoints that could lead to similar acts of state terrorism. There are several other plantations, large estates as well as development projects and mining exploration areas in many parts of the country that have been militarized. By Bobby Tuazon…
Hacienda Luisita Grinds to a Halt; Workers Vow to Continue Protest
It may be an uphill battle, but the 4,000 workers of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. decided to take matters into their own hands by declaring a strike last Nov. 6. Armed with a sense of history and social justice, their leaders vow to continue the protest and now they are demanding the land which should have…
Root of High Oil Prices
By Arnold Padilla, IBON Senior Researcher A recent article by Reuters tried to explain why oil prices are high. It gave five major reasons: Rising demand driven in particular by Chinese and Indian markets, lack of spare supply capacity, political tensions in the Middle East and financial crisis of Russian oil giant Yukos, stricter environmental…
Kerry/Edwards Follow the Failed Bush/Cheney Policy on the Middle East
By SAMAR ASSAD Counterpunch Statements by presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and his running mate Sen. John Edwards on issues concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict indicate that if elected this coming November 2nd, they would follow the same policies as the Bush-Cheney administration concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Four years of unbalanced Bush-Cheney policies have failed to…
Oil Giants Can Control Surge in World Prices
By IBON Foundation Global oil prices are reaching record highs not because of unmanageable factors. In reality, giant transnational oil corporations that exert monopoly control over the global oil industry have the capacity to bring down oil prices. Super companies like Exxon Mobil (US), Chevron Texaco (US), Royal Dutch Shell (Britain-Netherlands), British Petroleum (Britain), Total…
NPA Dies in Manila Prison
A New People’s Army rebel died Oct. 21 while detained at the Maximum Security Compound of the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa after suffering from severe diarrhea and mental disturbance. By DABET CASTAÑEDA Bulatlat.com A New People’s Army rebel died Oct. 21 while detained at the Maximum Security Compound of the National Bilibid Prison in…
Marcopper Death Toll Reaches 3: Community, Environmental Groups Press for Justice
The mining operations have long been stopped but the toxic wastes dumped by Marcopper and Placer Dome from 1975 to 1991 into Marinduque’s Calancan Bay, a major water and food source in the area, has claimed yet another life. By Bulatlat.com Ambeth Relloque, 18, was to be brought by ambulance to the Philippine General Hospital…
Tracing the Colonial Roots of Halloween
The malls and department stores in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, are cashing in on Halloween. They are adorned with cobwebs, bats and other creepy items while some of their workers are required to dress as witches or devils. This is their way of advertising the Halloween costumes that are very much in demand…
Samar Folk Struggle to Regain a Paradise Lost
A mining company has allegedly destroyed a historic and stunningly beautiful island in Eastern Samar. Now, the residents are fighting back to protect their environment, themselves and their future, facing a formidable enemy that has been, according to them, deceiving the residents and pitting them against each other. By MAUREEN JAPZON Bulatlat.com TACLOBAN CITY –…