Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Family and colleagues of peasant martyr Celso Pojas remember his 1 year death anniversary
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Press Release
May 15, 2009
A year ago today, Celso Pojas, 45, secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas fell to several bullets in front of his office. Today, the family, colleagues and church and human rights advocates under the Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) commemorate his 1st year death anniversary saying that “Pojas’ killers are still out there, stalking and waiting to heap bullets on other peasantfolks and leaders, as the state has again failed to protect the innocent and serve justice to where it is due.”
The EJP was formed last year in the aftermath of Pojas killing and in the massive evacuation of peasants in Comval and Davao Oriental and their exodus to Davao City. EJP spokesperson Pastor Amancio Benegian said “We are concerned that Pojas has only remained a mere statistic, a figure in the rubble of unsolved crimes in the city and in the region. His killers and masterminds remain unpunished, and the incidence of extra-judicial killings here and elsewhere nationwide have even intensified since his death.” Of the 100 victims of extra-judicial killings in the region in the last eight years, 33 came from the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.
In marking Celso’s first year death anniversary, Celso’s brother Ali and cousins went along with other 100 farmers and advocates in picketting the 10th Infantry Division at Camp Panacan to press for justice. Celso’s killers are believed to be active elements of the 10th ID. Prior to his killing last year, Celso led other peasants in a staunch human rights campaign in Comval and Davao Oriental where military incursions triggered local civilian dislocation and intimidation.
In its unity statement circulated last year the sentiments of which remains relevant today, the EJP said: “The Signs of the Times today, expressed in a people’s suffering from internal displacement, reverberates with images and messages that can be culled from the Biblical exodus. Today, as before, God’s people are persecuted by modern-day Pharaohs who seek to monopolize land, squeeze the people’s lifeblood, and plunder the land and its fruits.”
“Today, as before, courageous leaders like Celso Pojas, are pursued by soldiers on chariots and executed for being threats to the Pharaoh’s tyrannical rule. Today, as before, the rural poor are in constant march towards reclaiming their lands with the vision to make them overflow with milk and honey, under a situation where genuine agrarian reform prevails in the social order.”
In a leaflet containing Celso’s life history circulated last year, it says of Celso: “Born to a peasant family, Celso grew up aware of the plight of the farmers. His family’s farm in Brgy. Fatima, Mandug was placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP); his father Felix Alejandro was its beneficiary. According to Alejandro, Celso’s brother, up to now, their family struggles in paying for CARP’s amortization fees. As he toiled hard, Celso was awakened to the oppressive situation of the peasants. From 1980 to 1990, he started joining activities of farmers groups. In 2001, he co-founded the Mandug Farmers’ Association (MAFA). In 2003, he became a council member of Farmers’ Association in Davao City (FADC). This time, Celso decided to become a full-time peasant organizer. In 2005, Celso took the challenge of being the secretary- general of FADC and the regional spokesperson of KMP in Southern Mindanao starting 2006.”
Celso’s friends, family, colleagues and other EJP members held a parangal (tribute) at the Davao City Memorial Park in the afternoon.
This post was written by: Exodus for Justice and Peace
Exodus for Justice and Peace is a clergy-led peace group. Follow EJP on Twitter
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