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March for agrarian reform, truth, social justice and accountability – MARTSA Sumilao

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They ate their breakfast at around 6:00 am.  At around 7:00 am, they had a short stretching to prepare for the day's walk.  They started to walk at around 8:00 along Guazon, UN, Taft, Ayala Boulevard, Quiapo, Morayta, Recto, Espana, Lacson, Nagtahan, and then back to CARITAS.  From CARITAS, they proceeded to Adamson University where they took their lunch prepared by the students and faculty of the university. They repeated their walk once again taking their lunch.

But their walk was not that smooth as it would seem, because when they reached Ayala Boulevard, around 30-35 policemen barred them entry.  They were instead escorted to Quiapo, Morayta, Recto, Espana, Lacson, Nagtahan, and then back to CARITAS.  When they were at Recto, another groups of policemen and firemen were blocking the way, hence they took the road heading for Espana.

While traversing Quiapo, manang Wenie Talugco vomited.  She was found to suffer from high fever.  Meanwhile, Manang Laurita suffered physical fatigue.  She was carried with an improvised stretcher made of bamboo and wood.  The farmers took turn in carrying Manang Laurita until they reached Adamson University.

Among those who joined the farmers in their walk were the members of PAKISAMA, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, the Daughters of Charity, students and faculty of Nazarene Catholic School, youth leaders of La Salle Taft, and students of St. Benilde, Adamson, and Ateneo (OSCI).  

The farmers and their support groups completed the day's walk at around 5:30 pm today.  As of this writing, they are attending a mass officiated by Fr. Gerry Santos, head of Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

Yesterday (March 13), Sumilao farmers held their second walk.  Like what happened today, the policemen escorted the farmers in their walk.  They were back at CARITAS at around 5:00 pm.  At around 5:30, they had an interaction and sharing with a group of lumad from Visayas who were victims of the deleterious effect of mining.  Students from Adamson University and Ateneo also visited and talked with the farmers. (BALAOD Mindanaw)

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