Hundreds of activists from progressive groups to farmers and indigenous groups joined the peasant month rally to express their opposition towards land-grabbing, land-conversion, and government projects that drive farmers away from their farmlands in favor of foreign interest amongst many other calls.

After a week-long camping in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and enduring numerous state harassment, the protesters continued their demonstration on Wednesday, October 21, as they organized along España road.

By around 9:30 AM, the protesters marched towards Mendiola bringing with them their calls for true agrarian reform and the rejection of signing Pax Silica and using valuable farmlands and seas for renewable energy.

The rally’s program started as soon as they reached the Peace Arch, platforming representatives from farmers, indigenous, and fishermen groups hailing from provinces such as Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, CALABARZON, Mindoro and Palawan.

One of the speakers was Chairperson Ka Danilo Ramos of Kilusang Mangbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who shared how farmers stay landless and government policies harm their land and environment.

“Walo sa bawat sampung magsasaka, walang pag-aaring lupa pero mahalaga pong banggitin natin,sinira ni Marcos Sr. ang ating kalupaan sa programang Green Revolution ng IRI at Masagana 99 ng Marcos Sr.”

National Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo of Pamalakaya shares a similar sentiment as government proclamations and renewable energy projects push fishermen away from the sea and their livelihoods.

“Panawagan ng mga mangingisda, itigil ang proyektong reklamasyon. Itigil ang mga renewable energy [projects] na siyang dahilan ng pagpapalayas sa mga mangingisda at sumisira sa ating kalikasan na nagpapabagsak sa ating kabuhayan.”

Joaquin Buenaflor, former UPD USC Chairperson, highlighted how the youth stands in solidarity with farmers, fishermen, and indigenous people. Recognizing how despite being regarded as “the hope of the nation,” there is no hope for the youth under feudalism, bureaucratic capitalism, and imperialism.

“Walang pag-asa ang mga kabataan sa pyudalismo na patuloy na pinagnanakawan ng lupa ang mga magsasaka. Walang pag-asa ang sambayanan sa burukrata kapitalismo na pinagnanakawan ng sambayanan ang kaban ng bayan at nagkukuripot sa mga serbisyong panlipunan. Walang pag-aasa ang mga kabataan sa imperialistang pandarambong na patuloy na umaalipin sa sambayanang Pilipino.”

Other speakers also shared personal accounts of how mining and renewable energy projects continue to plague their lands and homes in their provinces. And with the looming super El Niño and the threat of Pax Silica, farmers, fishermen, and indigenous people are left hanging with false promises and little to no government support as they face the threat of losing their livelihoods and being uprooted from their homes.

The program rounded up peacefully with a performance by the cultural group Sinagbayan and a rap song by the group Siklaban. This was followed by a symbolic destruction of a banner depicting Trump, Marcos Jr., and the words “Pax Silica” using prop sickles, denouncing the initiative. The farmers ensured that President Trump will be met with protests come November during his visit in the country for the 49th ASEAN Summit.