Human rights violations in Camarines Sur on the rise
42^nd IB PA on a Rampage 

Soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 42^nd Infantry Battalion have been on a rampage in Camarines Sur since March 1 after its commanding officer and a member were captured by the New People’s Army in a firefight in Tinambac town this province. As of this writing, at least seven farmers have reported been missing after being picked up from their houses by soldiers while several others have been illegally detained and physically assaulted. Two teenage girls were also reported to have been sexually molested by soldiers.

BY ROWENA CARRANZA
Bulatlat.com

Quilingan, who was with seven other persons including his three brothers, was then interrogated regarding NPA presence in the area. When he explained that he was a coordinator of the party-list group Anakpawis (toiling masses) for Tinambac town, the soldiers beat him. They also beat his 15-year old brother.

“Sinabi ko Anakpawis ako, para sa konggreso, hindi sa NPA. Tapos may tago raw akong M16, ang sabi kong wala akong baril. Pag di nila gusto sagot ko, binubugbog ako” (I told them I am with Anakpawis which is for congress, not for the NPA. The beat me whenever my answer was not to their liking). Several times, Quilingan said, his ears were hit by the soldiers.

According to Quilingan, the soldiers also had with them two farmers, Jaime Rodriguez and Isederio delos Santos, who were reported missing.

He also recognized two of the paramilitary men accompanying the soldiers. He identified them as Jose Flores and Jimmy Moreno, both natives of Tinambac.

Quilingan said the soldiers later left but not without taking with them among others his boots and parts of the sprayer he uses for pesticides.

Disappeared

Despite the beating and threats, Quilingan was still luckier than the others who as of this writing have not been found yet.

In an interview with Eugene Severo, secretary general of the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) in Camarines Sur, the seven who continue to be held by the military are: Sonny delos Santos, Jaime Roriguez, Isiderio delos Santos, Antonio Gonzaga, Joseph Carlote, Wilfredo Velarde and Resty Amata. All were farmers of Tinambac and Lagonoy towns and members of Bayan Muna.

The military operations, said Severo, have so far covered the towns of Lagonoy, Tinambac and Goa in Camarines Sur.

In a sworn statement, Rosa delos Santos, wife of Isederio, said that when she arrived home on March 3, she found their house in Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay del Carmen, Lagonoy in disarray. She found out that their radio, blankets, and new shoes worth P3,000 among other things were missing. Her husband was also nowhere to be found. She learned later from other villagers that her husband was taken by soldiers.

Delos Santos traced her husband’s whereabouts through the snippets of news given by friends and fellow villagers who knew Isederio. According to her, her husband was taken to Tinambac and used as guide in their military operation. On March 7, Isederio was seen in Tamban Port, Tinambac, being escorted by soldiers while using the toilet.

Molested

In another incident, Tina (not her real name), 16 years old and resident of Brgy. Del Carmen, was sexually assaulted when soldiers came to their house. Some 40 soldiers arrived at around 6 a.m. on March 5 and when left alone with five of them, one of the soldiers approached and touched her private parts.

On March 3, a 14-year old girl, also of Del Carmen, was reported to have also been sexually molested.

Three other farmers, Emilio delos Santos and his son Sonny Boy and Ariel Candelaria, were picked up in Barangay del Carmen on March 5. Emilio and Candelaria were released the following day after being interrogated and beaten. They were told that if they “surrender” Emilio’s hog which the soldiers claimed was owned by an NPA, they would release his son. Emilio did as he was told although he insists that it was not owned by the NPA. Despite this, his son remains under military custody and forced to serve as guide to the soldiers.

According to reports, most of the soldiers involved in these series of military operations wore civilian clothes. Those who had military uniforms on wore them either with the inside out or without the nametags. Whenever they approach civilian houses, only a handful would come near and they would pretend to be NPA guerrillas. But after a while, their identity is revealed as they ask about NPA camps and leaders in the area. But most of all, says one resident, the soldiers treat them opposite of the way the NPA treats them.

“Panong masasabing hindi sila army, na NPA sila. Kami ang nakakaalam sa tagal na naming nakatira sa bundok at sa dami ng pinakikisamahan naming—NPA, military. Kalayo nila sa pinapapakita ng NPA sa amin. Magalang sa amin ang mga NPA, hindi kami sinasaktan. Pero sila ang sa aming sarili na ay dinala pa nila. Paanong masabing NPA sila?” (How can they claim that they are NPAs? We, who have lived in the mountains for a long time and have dealt with the NPA and military, know better. The NPAs are respectful, they don’t hurt us. The soldiers even take what are ours. How can they pretend to be NPAs?)

Prisoners of war

The NPA clashed on March 1 with members of the Charlie Company of 42^nd IB PA which resulted in the capture of its commanding officer, 1st Lt Ronaldo Fedelino, and PFC Ronel Lemiño. According to reports, the military operations are aimed to pursue the NPA unit which is holding the soldier-prisoners. Bulatlat.com

Back to top

We want to know what you think of this article.