On 22 May 2009, elements of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force violently demolished the peaceful peasant camp-out upon orders of the House of Representatives leadership.

The police were augmented by House of Representatives security guards and firemen who used water cannons against the farmers. One security guard even trained a gun at the protesters but scampered away when he noticed media personnel running toward him. Dozens of peasants, including women, were injured.

The peasants were peacefully camped out beside the gate of the House of Representatives for the passage of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill filed by the late Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran. The attack came three days after the commemoration of the first death anniversary of the great labor leader. (Text and photos by Raymund Villanueva/Bulatlat.com)