Ron Mia
Liberal Party candidate Rep. Leni Robredo found more allies as Sumilao farmers threw their support behind her Vice Presidential bid.
In 2007, Sumilao farmers marched from Bukidnon to Malacañang to demand for the land that they believed was rightfully theirs. After nine years, the Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon are set to march again to Manila not to demand for land but to give their full support for the candidacy of Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo for Vice President.
READ: Farmers Walk for Months to Gain Back Land
During their 2007 ordeal, Robredo—then a human rights lawyer and member of the group Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan)—helped and defended the farmers as a volunteer lawyer. The farmers eventually won the case and received the 197 hectares of land they asked for.
In a press conference Wednesday, April 13, Samahang Tsinelas and the Laylayan Coalition announced that 12 of the original Sumilao farmers who marched in 2007 will be marching again from Bukidnon to Manila to show support for Robredo’s candidacy. The march-caravan dubbed as “Sumilao Farmers Express” will start on April 15 and will go on until May 7 and will cover the provinces of Cotabato, Davao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Tacloban, Legazpi, Naga and Lucena with the last stop at Quezon City.
“(The farmers) want to tell a story. They hope to introduce the broader public who Leni really is,” said Soc Banzuela of Samahang Tsinelas.
The Laylayan Coalition is group of farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous people, and rural women and youth campaigning for Robredo.
Banzuela said the march-caravan is slated to become a show of force among the supporters of the vice presidential aspirant.
Meanwhile, Robredo in a statement thanked the coalition for their support.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanilang suporta at sa paniniwalang ipagpapatuloy nating tutulungan ang mahihirap, magsasaka, mangingisda at iba pang nasa laylayan ng lipunan,” said Robredo
(I am thankful for their support and their faith that we will continue helping the poor, the farmers, the fishermen, and all the marginalized in our society.)
