30/11/2022
ARTISTA NG BAYAN
MARTIR NG MASANG API
BAYANI NG SAMBAYANAN
The Samahan para sa Interaktibong Kalihokang Agraryo sa mga Artistang Bayan (SILAAB) offers the highest tribute to Ericson Acosta: a National Book Awardee poet, songwriter, activist, and peace consultant who have greatly served and inspired the workers and peasant masses.
He was captured alive and later murdered after a fake encounter by 94th Infantry Battalion and 47th Infantry Battalion at 2AM of November 30 at Sitio Makilo, Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. A peasant organizer who was his companion was also murdered. Ericson Acosta went around Negros Island to consult with farm workers on the current situation of the agricultural sector in Kabankalan City, and share progress regarding the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).
SILAAB strongly condemns the AFP for murder of Ericson Acosta which is a clear violation of the NDFP-GRP Join Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). Ka Ericson, until his dying breath, gave his life to truly serve the Filipino masses which the AFP could never surmount.
As we celebrate today one of our revolutionary heroes, G*t Andres Bonifacio, let us also commemorate Ericson Acosta and other revolutionaries alike who have given their life to serve the people.
SILAAB also challenges artists in Negros to take on the path to serve the people especially the peasant masses, which Ericson Acosta and his wife, poet-activist Kerima Tariman (who was also murdered in Negros Island last year) has chosen. Artists, struggle alongside our farmers!
Mabuhay ang makabayang diwa ni Ericson Acosta!
PURSUE PEACE TALKS!
JUSTICE FOR ERICSON ACOSTA!
DEFEND NEGROS!
