Bayan asks Prince Albert of Monaco: Raise farmers’ plight to Aquino
Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Thursday asked Prince Albert II of Monaco to look into the condition of the drought-stricken farmers in Mindanao following the violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan City last April 1 which left at least three people dead and scores of people injured.
Bayan said that the visiting monarch, who is a known environmentalist, can take up to President Benigno Aquino III the issue of hunger plaguing farmers in Mindanao and other parts of the country.
READ: Aquino to welcome Prince Albert of Monaco to Malacañang Thursday
“We hope that in his meeting with President Aquino, he would take up the matter of hunger and worsening climate change,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a statement.
The militant group also hit Aquino for supposedly keeping mum on the bloody dispersal of the farmers.
“It has been six days since the Philippine government shot protesting farmers in Mindanao…Aquino has not spoken about the issue. The whole world should be asking Aquino how he intends to address the urgent needs of the farmers,” Reyes said.
“We call for greater international solidarity with the Filipino farmers for food and justice,” he added.
READ: Palace vows ‘thorough, impartial’ probe on Kidapawan clash
The Prince and the President will hold bilateral talks followed by the possible signing of joint agreements.
After attending a luncheon hosted by Aquino, the Prince is set to fly to Palawan where he will visit the Tubbataha Reef National Park and other sites.
READ: Prince Albert in Manila, on his way to Tubbataha
The Prince last visited Manila 17 years ago. CDG
