The Katipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid (Kasama)-Rizal denounced the arrest of two residents of Sitio Rawang, Barangay Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal on August 29. Jessa and Jennifer Tapel were arrested for fighting, together with the community, the land grabbing by the Chua-Tan family and Sta. Lucia Corporation in the area.

The Rizal Police Provincial Office announced the arrest of the two in a statement on September 3, claiming that they had a warrant of arrest for the case of Annulment of Deed of Absolute Sale and Cancellation issued on August 15 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 79 in Morong, Rizal.

The two remain detained at the police station in Tanay, with bail set at ₱5,000 each.

Residents reported that representative from the company have repeatedly returned in recent weeks to survey the land they intend to grab, without showing any clear documents nor conducting consultation or dialogue with the farmers.

To make the land grabbing appear legal, the corporation forced the Barangay Tandang Kutyo captain to sign a permit to conduct the survey. They threatened the captain with a lawsuit upon refusal to comply.

“Please do not steal our rights, do not deprive us of our right to live,” Sitio Rawang farmer Fernando Tapel Sr said. Tapel Sr is the father of the two individuals arrested by the police.

Since 1965, farmers in Sitio Rawang have lived on and cultivated the land which provides them with vegetables and various crops that sustain their daily needs.

“You landgrabbers, you businessmen, you wealthy people… stop grabbing land. Have mercy on us who are poor, do not destroy our livelihood,” Tapel Sr appealed.

At present, armed guards and intelligence agents continue to monitor Sitio Rawang’s surroundings. Some farmers cannot return to their homes out of fear of being seized. This situation also adversely affect the livelihood and security of the farmers.