More than a decade ago, one of the most tragic story know to human kind has been carried out by the government in an infamous event, Hacienda Luisita Massacre.
I personally know the place and witness the tragedy since I been there working as encoder in finish good distribution of IWS ( International Wiring System).
I was in College that time, but because of some personal reasons I need to work to support my education. Yes, I am a working students back in my college. Infact I got two part time that time, a student assistant assign in University computer laboratory and an encoder to a company.
Hacienda Luisita is owned by known politicians and prominent people, Cojuanco and Aquino family. Perhaps, your thinking about the late president Corazon Aquino, late senator Benigno Aquino and former President Benigno Aquino Jr. and a prominent actress Kris Aquino.
Yes, those prominent people own this place. You have probably heard about there advocate to help people or being a hero to Filipino people.
I think your wrong, this people are no hero. They are monsters, corrupt and perhaps a murderer.
Tank versus Farmer!
Instead of water canon, tear gas and rubber bullet the corrupt government send Simba armour vehicle to disperse the crowd of hungry farmers.
Simba Tank Specifications:
Armor - 8 mm steel armor (maximum estimate)
Main armament - 7.62 mm Machinegun
Secondary armament - 40 mm grenade launchers
Engine - Perkins 210 Ti diesel turbo charged intercooler engine 210 bhp
Power/weight - 18.75 bhp/ton
Operational range - 660 km (410 mi)
Speed - 100 km/h (62 mph)
The photo above is the actual Simba Tank and it's entry to disperse the hungry farmers followed by foot soldier carrying high power firearms loaded with live bullet.
The Hungry Farmers
The actual photo of a hungry farmers poised to defend there land against land grabbers, tanks and heavily arm foot soldier with slingshot.
Hungry Farmers Specifications:
Armor - An old long sleeves and jeans with rug covering on the head
Main Armament - slingshot
Secondary Armament - wooden club
The actual fight Man Versus Machine
The casualty is overwhelming and the clash took place in less than a minute. The government's tanks and highly train foot soldiers won.
Farmers who take the stand are all dead. However the tragedy don't stop there, there are innocent child reported dead after the clash that is not reported to mainstream media.
There are also report of kidnapped farmers that never found until today. They lost in the thin air which believe dead at this time.
Until today, justice didn't serve yet. Those people behind the massacre, kidnapping and land grabbing are still at large. Perhaps, arm and dangerous, ready to kill and be killed.
Disclaimer:
Those photos above are not mine but belong to friends who sent it through messenger. He have granted me a permission to used it for this post. Since the subject matter and topic is bit controversial prominent politicians are involved, he choose not to be mentioned for some personal reasons.