House to review CARL to prevent Luisita-type disputes |
By Paolo Romero The Philippine Star 11/22/2004 |
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Congress leaders called for a review of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL), citing the need for avoiding problems in its implementation amid the controversy generated by last weeks violent dispersal of striking workers at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.
Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin of Basilan and Lanao del Sur Rep. Benasing Macarambon, chairman of the House committee on agriculture, said a review of the CARL would factor in the contrary positions of landowners and farm workers.
"We want a peaceful solution to any problem arising from the CARL implementation by considering both the position of the landowners and farm workers and farmers," Salapuddin said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Edgar Aglipay took the cudgels for his men for the flak they received over the bloody dispersal of striking workers at Hacienda Luisita last Tuesday.
Authorities said only seven people were killed although workers and leftist groups insisted that the riot left 14 dead and hundreds of others injured.
"Walang gustong mangyari ito. Ang mga may gustong mangyari ito ay mga taong baluktot ang pag-iisip (Nobody wanted this to happen. If there are people who wanted this to happen are only those with crooked thinking)," Aglipay said.
He pointed out the focus of the PNP investigation will be on who between the law enforcers and the workers and their sympathizers fired the first shot. Aglipay ordered the investigation of the incident and appointed Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco to head "Task Force Hacienda." He also sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the case.
Velasco announced two from the slain strikers were positive for powder burns while the nine policemen who also tested positive for having fired their handguns are now under investigation. Aglipay added the contingent from the Army will be also subjected to paraffin tests.
"Let us wait for General Velasco to finish his investigation," he stressed. The PNP chief stressed the policemen may have fired their handguns in self defense.
Aglipay pointed out the militarys armored personnel carrier used in the dispersal operations sustained bullet holes. "Whoever they are (those who fired their guns), that is what the investigation will try to work on," he said.
Lawmakers have crossed party lines in condemning the violent dispersal of the striking farm workers of Hacienda Luisita.
Lawmakers led by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago earlier called for a Senate investigation over the labor dispute at Hacienda Luisita in the light of the implementation of CARL.
Santiago called for a review of CARL "for its failure to include the people who owned the biggest lands in the country." With Benjie Villa, Eva Visperas, Nikko Dizon |
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