DISTURBANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1946, Page 5

DISTURBANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Itocoivod Snndav, S.lo p.rn. MANU.A, July 20. Rporadio fighting hetween niilitary polioe and arined llukbalahap pcasants. is reportod over the entire Centrai Luzou area. The Maruia press reporU that 10.000 llukbalahaps are massing at Xeuva Keija in the path of a niilitary armed colunin which is piu'suiiig a llukbalahap group retreating north after heavy iigluiiig which lasted two days. i The llukbalahap leader, Tarue, lui> ! announced that the Seeretary of the I I nterior, Zulueta, has aoeepted his oller| to return to the provinces and personullv : ai>peal for the crul of bloodshed. Tarue will confer with President Roxas before leaving on his mission, 011 which he will be aeeonipanied by an ottieer of the In terior Departinent aiul a niilitary polioe eseort. Tariio deelared tho situation was fast approaohing a erisis. "Oui pooiile are boing liuntod down like animals," he said. "The fighting has also caused the kiHing of niany in noeent peasant women and children." Tarue said the root of the problem was eoonomic. Oue ])er eenf. of tho population owned 00 pcr eent. of tlu land in I'anipanga and loss than livo por eent. of the population owned more than 08 per eent. of the land in other t'entral Luzon provinces. Uig haeieiula owners who wished to rcturn to preuar senii-feudalisni, were baeking the provineial govemors' mailed list pro gramme. A spokesnian for the plantation owners denied feudalistic desires, asserl - ing that the biilk of the peasants wero peaeeful lmt woro eontinually stirred up bv roving lawless bands which must be cliniinated.