Angered by cowardly act of murder, Rep. Ariel Hernandez, from Anak Mindanao Party List,condemn the killing of Rene Penas, one of the leaders of the MAPALAD farmers in Bukidnon. Mr. Penas  was ambushed last night near his farm in Brgy. San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon. 

This was a shocking news to the Mindanawon solon especially that the farmers were successful in their lobby for HB 4077 that was finally passed last Wednesday at the House of Representatives.  

“Police should investigate this killing expeditiously. If the killing is related to the leaders’ advocacy in agrarian reform, let the court of justice act without hesitation to bring the perpetrators in jail, ” Hernandez strongly urged.

Hernandez recalls how Mr. Penas and the core leaders of Mapalad farmers showed their commitment to Agrarian Reform when they first staged their hunger strike in 1997 that caught the attention of the country.  Hernandez was then one of the key leaders in the support group who accompanied the Mapalad farmers in their quest for justice.

Though upset, Hernandez added that “Rene may not witness the fruits of the extension of CARP, but definitely his passion for agrarian reform will be emulated by thousand more leaders in the countryside.”