I salute the determination of the farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon for enduring the harsh weather conditions as they marched from Bukidnon to Manila since September. On December 3, they arrived in Muntinlupa City for the final leg of their 1, 700-kilometer “Walk for Justice.” Friends from the Alternative Law Groups informed me a day before that the farmers are arriving.
I didn’t hesitate to shoot their march. Buck Pago of AKP Images arrived in Alabang ahead of me. I was still in Kamias, Quezon City when he told me that the farmers are already in Alabang. I immediately rushed to Alabang. I spent P330 for the taxi and toll fee. Lucky enough that the taxi took me to Alabang. I didn’t mind spending that much for the fare as long as I can record their exemplary effort.

When I got there, some of the farmers had just have their lunch I guess. When I spoke to one of them, I could see happiness in her face that I spoke Bisaya with her. As  I turned around, I saw the oldest farmer in the group — Napoleon Merida, Sr. He is 59.

But the government seems to be playing deaf and blind on their demand. The Sumilao farmers are not asking for thousands of hectares. This only goes to show us that the government has terribly failed in delivering the basic needs of the people.

It was a very tough journey. You could just imagine how determined they are. I could see the  misery in every inch of the farmers’ body.

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