Gabriela solon condemns intensified militarization in Mindanao, says GMA steps up counter-insurgency to beat 2010 deadli

Rep. Luz Ilagan of Gabriela Women’s Party condemned the on-going militarization and other forms of harassment in the remote areas in Mindanao, particularly in Agusan del Sur, saying that these are part of Pres. Arroyo’s stepping up of her administration’s counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya, which she aims to accomplish by 2010.

On April 30, 2009, at 9:00 in the morning, witnesses reported incessant aerial bombings and strafing by two fighter planes, by two small helicopters, and then by two big helicopters respectively, which dropped approximately 14 bombs and disembarked 90 soldiers in Brgy. Agsabo, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

On May 3, 2009, Arong Cahangad, a Higaonon resident, was arrested, interrogated, tortured and stabbed with a knife by alleged elements of 26th Infantry Battalion of the AFP. Thinking that Arong was already dead after stabbing him thrice in the stomach which caused his intestines to spill out, the alleged perpetrators covered his body with leaves and left.  Arong survived and managed to report the incident to barangay officials.

On May 4, 2009, another Higaonon, Tagoy Ramos escaped from the hands of the military and reported that he had been tortured and thrown to the river to drown by his captors.

Five children who live in Brgy Balobo, nine kilometers away from Agsabo, have been reported missing. Their ages range from 7 to 15 years.  

Reports say that residents of Brgy. Agsabo are suffering from hunger because the military has not allowed them to visit their farmlands due to the continuing military operations and even declared that whoever is found in the area shall be dealt with as a casualty of war.

Citing the second report of the UN special rapporteur Prof. Philip Alston, Ilagan stressed that “the Philippine government has failed to implement the recommendations of the United Nations to stop the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances attributed to the military.”

“Intensified attacks on the indigenous tribes and the increasing number of victims of human rights violations committed by the AFP” are Arroyo’s response to the long standing call of the international community to implement the recommendations of Prof. Alston, according to Ilagan.
The Gabriela solon said that this self-imposed deadline of the Arroyo government to wipe-out insurgency in the country by 2010 could mean more harassment and summary killings of civilians, especially women and children in areas where there are military operations.
“Philip Alston’s second report shows the blatant disrespect of the Arroyo administration to the covenants of the United Nations,” said Ilagan, stressing that the Philippines is still a member State.#