Over 200 farmers in the municipality of Baggao, Cagayan Valley, are crying foul over what they call “fake surrenders” while others have been forced to join the CAFGU.
BY DABET CASTAÑEDA
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 38, October 29-November 3, 2007
Farmer Rancy Bellones, 26, busied himself tending his farm in Barangay Carupian in the municipality of Baggao, province of Cagayan Valley. At about 4 in the afternoon of July 5, soldiers belonging to the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IB PA) arrived.
Bellones was met by a certain Lt. Belsa who immediately accused him of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines).
Bellones denied the accusation saying he was a member of Kagimungan (or the Provincial Peasant Alliance of Cagayan), a local farmers group. Belsa, however, warned Bellones that he would be killed if he denied the accusation. The soldiers ordered Bellones to turn-over a firearm and to surrender.
“Bakit ako susuko? Wala naman akong dapat isuko,” (Why would I surrender? I have nothing to surrender.) Bellones told Bulatlat in an interview during a peace mission held Oct. 19.
On July 20, the soldiers summoned the residents of Carupian at the barangay hall. Bellones said he saw his name listed as one of the members of the NPA. All residents who attended the assembly were told to sign an attendance sheet, Bellones said, which later turned out to be what the soldiers said was “proof that they have surrendered to the authorities.”
Another farmer, Rolito Buco, also testified during the peace mission that he was accused of being a member of the NPA and was forced to surrender on July 20 at the same village meeting in Carupian.
Forty-four-year-old Benito Abarientos, a village councilor in Carupian, was in the same meeting on July 20. In his testimony, Abarientos said he and 26 of his neighbors were made to sign a written statement which read: “Ako ay kasapi ng Kaguimungan at CPP/NPA at mula ngayon ay hindi na ako sasali sa nasabing grupo.” (I am a member of Kaguimungan and the CPP/NPA and from now on I will no longer join the said group.)
In Baggao town, the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights) has documented at least 217 individual victims of fake surrenders. All victims are members of Kaguimungan.
Forced recruitment
Emiliano Tamayo, a 54-year-old Barangay Tanod (village official) of Barangay Carupian in the town of Baggao, Cagayan Valley, was offered to be a member of the Citizens’ Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).
“Tumanggi ako. Mahirap maging CAFGU,” (I refused. It is difficult to be a member of the CAFGU.) Tamayo told Bulatlat in an interview during a peace mission held in the area on Oct 19.
Tamayo, however, could not evade the soldiers who roamed their village. In fact, he said soldiers stayed in his house for days.
Tamayo was told to report at the barangay hall. There, a certain Lt. Belsa tried to convince Tamayo to join the CAFGU. H was told he would be getting P1,700 ($38.58 at an exchange rate of $1=P44.06) a month as salary should he agree but Tamayo said he was adamant he would not sign up as a CAFGU.
Tamayo was, however, surprised to see his name listed as one of the members of the CAFGU in Carupian.
Other atrocities
The peace mission team also documented other atrocities brought about by the militarization in Baggao. In an interview, Elena Tomas, 57, said her 15-year-old daughter, Rosemarie, was shot by soldiers on Jan. 27. Rosemarie and a friend were both hit by bullets on the leg.
Rosemarie has since stopped schooling and is now working as a housemaid in a neighboring province.
Also, five members of Kaguimungan have been killed allegedly by soldiers: Joey Javier on Nov. 11, 2006; Anthony Licayayo on Nov. 26, 2006; Edralin Gudoy on Jan. 21, 2007; Arthur Orpilla on March 27, 2007; and Dionisio Battol on April 2, 2007.
The peace mission team held a dialogue with Cagayan Valley Gov. Ambo Antonio, Col. Jacinto Bareng of the 17th IB PA, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson Col. Rogelio Migote, and Commission on Human Rights lawyer Jimmy Baliga.
During the dialogue, the peace mission team called for an investigation of the documented cases of human rights violations by the CHR and the immediate pull-out of the military in Baggao. (Bulatlat.com)
