Army: We’re helping improve lives, not establishing bases in northern Negros

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28): Army: We’re helping improve lives, not establishing bases in northern Negros

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army said they are helping improve the lives of residents of remote areas in northern Negros, not establishing military bases in communities as claimed by Karapatan human rights group.

Major Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the 3rd ID, said that troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion are in Barangay Winaswasan, Calatrava, and Barangays Malasibog, and Libertad in Escalante City to conduct peace and development activities to help the residents address their issues and concerns.

Tiongson’s statement refuted the claims made by Clarissa Singson, regional coordinator of Karapatan, that the Army forces have put up camps right beside the houses of the residents in these villages.

He added that the Philippine Army, cognizant to the needs of the people, spearheads the developmental projects of the provincial government of Negros Occidental through the Negros First Program to improve the lives of the people in these far-flung areas.

“So why are these groups trying to prevent the development in these areas?” he asked.

Tiongson added that water systems were installed in Barangay Malasibog and in Sitio Sampinit, Barangay Libertad to provide the water needs of the residents while a “wellness farm” for organic produce will be set up for the livelihood of the residents in Barangay Winaswasan.

He added that the troops in these areas are not staying inside the houses of the residents and no one from the Army is threatening or forcing anyone to surrender.

We are inviting groups such as the Karapatan and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan for a dialogue to discuss the issues that will truly address concerns on human rights, Tiongson said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=630424