“Ang alam ko magtatayo ng kooperatiba y’ong grupo nila sa lugar namin” (What I know is that their group was planning to set up a cooperative in our place), she said. The group was however, suspected of recruiting for the NPA or doing a communist-led activity, she said.
Villagers are being scolded and beaten and their belongings confiscated by soldiers. “Titipunin nila lahat ng kalalakihan saka sasamsamin yung mga napangisda nilang bangus o tilapya o kaya pera” (They would gather all the men and confiscate the bangus or tilapia they caught or the money they have), she told Bulatlat.
“Mahirap umalis dahil walang kabuhayan, pero paano kami babalik kung nandiyan pa ang militar?” (Leaving the place has made life difficult for us because we have no source of income, but how can we go back with the military still there?) she said.
Asked if indeed there were NPA members roaming the fishing community, she said, “Kung nandun man sila, bakit mas nakakatulog kami sa gabi, kumakain ng tatlong-beses sa isang araw, tahimik kami” (If they’re there, we would probably be able to sleep more soundly at night, eat three times a day, and the place would be quiet.)
Now at the sanctuary, “Dito may katahimikan, kapag kami lumabas, hindi namin alam kung anong mangyayari sa amin” (There’s peace here. If we get out of here we don’t know what would happen to us.)
Safe from the military
For three weeks now, the sanctuary had offered trainings in cellphone repair among the refugees. This would develop in the refugees additional skills that they can use when they get out of the sanctuary, organizers said.
The seven families inside the Domus Dei, composed of 68 individuals, were one in doubting the government’s sincerity in protecting civilians from the “indiscriminate” war it is waging against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the NPA.
The government puts the blame on witnesses for its failure to solve the political killings. But the witnesses fear for their lives as they suspect that soldiers are involved.
Three local leaders of organizations tagged as communist fronts” believe the newly-formed Melo Commission, would only absolve the Macapagal-Arroyo government, the AFP and the PNP..
Celestina Nantes, Kadamay chair in San Jose del Monte, griped about how her family has been torn apart by the heightened militarization. The urban poor community her group organizes includes the relocation areas of Sapang Palay, Towerville, Liberty and Pabahay 2000 demanding for lower monthly amortization rates, basic utilities and social services and employment. Dwellers mainly work in construction jobs outside the relocation sites. They only go back to the relocation site to sleep that is why the site is called “Bedroom City.”
Weeks after she had gone into hiding, local members started to ask about her whereabouts. She advised her children to reveal her situation hoping that if anything happens to her, the residents would know that government security forces would most probably be involved.
“Biglaan ang paglikas namin dito, hindi gaanong naihanda yung erya para sa panghihimasok ng mga militar” (We suddenly had to leave, the residents were not adequately prepared for the military’s intrusion), she said.
Ricardo Diaz, chair of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (Alliance of Peasants in Bulacan), said his group’s campaign for higher palay (unmilled rice) prices, against the land use conversion scheme, and factory pollutants earned the ire of the military.
He brought his family along when he left his residence for fear that the military might harm them when they found out that he has gone into hiding.
Boy Asis, chair of Kadamay in Guiguinto, Bulacan, has spent a week in the sanctuary together with his family. He was advised by his neighbors to leave the community when the military started to arrive at their place. Kadamay is protesting the implementation of the government-led Manila-Clark Rapid Railway System, now known as the North Rail Project, aims to rehabilitate the old national railways. The Phase 1 of the project would result to the displacement of rail residents in Meycauayan and Malolos.
“Mas gugustuhin namin tumira dito kaysa magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan na amoy-pulbura” (We prefer to live here rather than be forced to pledge allegiance to this violent government), he said.
The three lead the finance committee formed inside the sanctuary, whose task is to seek for material and financial support. At least P1,000 was being spent each day to maintain the sanctuary, Nantes said. The amount also covers the costs being incurred for the four cases of rights violations now pending in court, she added.
“Mahina ang loob ng iba sa mga nandito, dahil sa takot na rin. Nililinaw namin na sa mas mabuting nandito sila, ang diperensya pag nasa labas, may nagkakanlong para sa seguridad” (Some people here are afraid. We explain that it is better for them to be here because there is protection.), she said. At least twelve persons guard the perimeter of the sanctuary.
Although many among them desire to go back to their communities, they still choose to stay in the sanctuary for as long as the military reigns in the province. (Bulatlat.com)
