Under Aquino, no justice for victims of Hacienda Luisita massacre

Under Aquino, no justice for victims of Hacienda Luisita massacre

 
"The Cojuangco-Aquinos used and abused all legal means to their advantage and interest of further controlling the lands.” – Rep. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac City — Families and colleagues in the struggle of farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita continue to yearn for justice, seven long years since the infamous Hacienda Luisita massacre that claimed the lives of seven farmers.
“We appreciate the support from our colleagues because it helps us to become stronger. Somehow, I feel that there is still hope that justice would be served,” Gabby Sanchez, 61, father of Juancho Sanchez, one of the slain farmers, told Bulatlat.com.

Pastor Gabby Sanchez yearns for justice for his son Juancho, one of the victims of the Hacienda Luisita massacre. (Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

Juancho, then a third year mechanical engineering student, was forced to stop going to school to support his family’s daily needs. He worked as a jeepney driver. His father, a pastor of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) who served an Aeta community, had meager allowance.

But on November 16, 2004, in the picketline of the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, Juancho was killed. He was only 20 years old. “He went there to provide water for the striking workers,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that his son Juancho is a good and helpful person. In fact, aside from his support to the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, his son Juancho was also known to be generous to his high school classmates despite their living conditions. “He would share his snacks to his classmates when they do not have one. His classmates told me during his wake.”

Their family continues to demand for justice, even now under President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration, whom he deems would not look after for the welfare of peasants. “Those who were responsible to the massacre should be held liable. The victims sacrificed their lives for this cause,” he said.

Caravan 

A caravan of some 30 vehicles left Chino Roces Bridge, formerly known as Mendiola, on November 16 at around 10:30 a.m. for Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City to commemorate the seventh year since the Hacienda Luisita massacre. Families, colleagues and friends of the seven victims of the killing still clamor for justice..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/18/under-aquino-no-justice-for-victims-of-hacienda-luisita-massacre/