BMFI

Rest Heals Not All Wounds
21 October 2007

From Tubay, the marchers negotiated 33 kilometers going to Jabonga. The stretch of their route consists of Tubay, Santiago, Curva, Bangonoy and Jabonga. Aside from the early morning rituals, they have been used to their everyday walk. And like in their previous walk, by-standers were waiting for the farmers during the whole stretch of their journey. Simple but touching assistance and support from residents of these areas were still prevalent during the walk.

They settled in Jabonga and conducted a short program for the locals in the municipality. They showed various documentary films narrating the plights and the struggles of the Sumilao farmers. With those simple films, the public in Jabonga learned the true state of the country's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). That sometimes (or most of the time), the program is being used to infringe the rights of the farmers who are landless. And that those who are in power, including the implementing agency (DAR), can mock and circumvent the law.

Individual testimonies and personal inputs were also included in the program. Some of the farmer leaders, especially those who participated during the 1997 hunger strike, shared their views and feelings. Without romanticizing the issue, the farmers received sympathies and more support from the listeners and spectators during the program.

On 18 October 2007, two farmers/marchers, Sonia Bayo and Dote Agustin, were sent back to Sumilao to rest because they were sick and physically unfit to continue their journey. On the next day, 19 October 2007, Emerita Buclasan, wife of Paki Buclasan, was asked also to leave the marchers to take care of her husband (Paki) who was rushed in the hospital the other day. Though still agitated to continue their journey, they were forced to leave and go back to Sumilao to join the rest of the families of the marchers.

At present, the two sick marchers are now in perfect shape, good health and better condition. They are now doing their regular household chores, farm activities and other stuff which they usually do. Physically, they are fine. The fever of Dote Agustin is now gone. Stomach pain and vomiting of Sonia Bayo have stopped. Generally, they feel better. On the other hand, Paki Buclasan is still confined at the Northern Mindanao General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

In Sumilao, the three former marchers can't manage to think the struggle of their fellow marchers. They are wondering if their fellow marchers are eating at the right time, if they are still regularly taking their vitamins and other medicines, if they are having enough rest and sleep, and so on and so fort. They still wish to join the marchers, but could not. They just hope that the struggle of the remaining 51 marchers will not lead to nothing. They are hopeful that sooner or later, the cause of the Sumilao farmers will be heard by the present administration. And that justice will prevail…

The marchers felt lighter because of the support they received from different organizations and individuals. The hospitality and warm welcome were really overwhelming. The marchers wish to thank ALTERDEV and their staff, BUFAFED, Social Action Center (SAC)-Butuan, Cuyago Women's Organization, Cuyago Rice Farmers Collective, and other support groups.

We may have missed out other groups in the updates. To them, and for those who were discreetly helping the farmers, the marchers would like to extend sincere gratitude. These anonymous people may not be with the marchers physically, but the marchers know and appreciate whatever support they are receiving.

(We are calling all support groups [individuals or organizations] to contribute to the everyday updates of the Sumilao farmers. We might forget some significant events or we might forget to acknowledge/include your organization in some articles, that's why we would like to request, if you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to send those to balaodmindanaw@gmail.com. Thank you very much.)