Philippines: Non-implementation of agrarian reform, Maribulan, Alabel, Sarangani Province

On May 26, 2004, around 90 members of Sarangani Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SARBCO) were violently evicted from a banana plantation (SACI Banana Commercial Farm). They had attempted to take physical possession of a small portion of the land they are entitled to receive according to the agrarian reform law. The farmers had been dismissed from their job with SACI after they have been protesting for their right to land. Furthermore, all surrounding commercial farms refuse to employ them. Access to land of their own is therefore their only means to feed themselves. The government, however, continues to disregard their plight as legitimate beneficiaries of the plantation.