Bicol, Mindanao groups join forces to call end to Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan

From the pro-CPP Davao Today (Nov 19): Bicol, Mindanao groups join forces to call end to Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan



Mindanao ManiLakbayan in Bicol. PHOTO BY RICO DE MESA MANALLO / BICOLTODAY.COM

CITY OF NAGA, Bicol Region — “Sharing similar experiences of landlessness, government neglect and repression, Mindanao and the Bicol region called for an end to BS Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan. The two areas took the worst blows of military operations and the consequent human rights violations,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

 

From July 2010 to October 30, 2014, Karapatan documented 83 extrajudicial killings in the six regions in Mindanao while the Bicol region suffered 52 killings.

 

People’s organizations from the provinces of Bicol under the banner of Kadena Bicolandia welcomed and held solidarity activities yesterday for the Manilakbayan contingent.

 

The contingent of Manilakbayan ng Mindanao 2014, with 300 members of mostly peasants and indigenous peoples, is traveling to Metro Manila with the theme “Food and Peace in MindaNOW!”

 

In October, the military threatened and harassed Karapatan leaders of both Mindanao and Bicol. Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of Karapatan-Southern Mindanao region, narrowly escaped from a man tracking her.

 

On October 17, Suazo, with Anakbayan organizer Kae Solis, took a taxi from Bangoy St., Davao City, going to Nova Tierra village. At the Nova Tierra Village, Suazo got off the cab first and went inside her house. Solis had to wait for her change from the driver. When she got off the cab, a tall man pushed her. Solis tried to run but the man pulled her hair from the back as he shouted “Asa ka muadto?! Asa ka? (Where are you going?! Where?).” The perpetrator pushed her to the glass of a drug store, kept pulling her hair while repeating the same questions. Finally, the man asked, Asa imong mga kauban lagi? Asa si Hanimay Suazo? [Where are your comrades? Where is Hanimay Suazo?] Solis was able to push the perpetrator, ran across the highway, and rode a jeep. Solis later relayed to Suazo that a man was after her.

 

Suazo led numerous fact-finding missions, particularly in areas such as Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Loreto, Agusan del Sur where military operations were conducted. She has also openly pointed out the culpability of military troops in the Southern Mindanao region for human rights abuses under the Aquino administration.

 

On October 30, the Commanding Officer of Peace and Development Team of the 31st Infantry Battalion summoned Arlene Funelas, municipal Coordinator of Sorsogon People’s Organization, an affiliate of Karapatan-Sorsogon.

 

 

Mindanao ManiLakbayan in Bicol. PHOTO BY RICO DE MESA MANALLO / BICOLTODAY.COM

 

At the Barangay Hall, there was only a soldier, while more were outside the hall. The soldier accused her of being a tax collector for the New People’s Army. The soldier threatened her that they could ruin her child’s schooling by telling the teachers that Funelas’ child is recruiting NPA in school.

 

Funelas answered back, “Is there a law that says children suspected as NPA’s cannot enter schools anymore?” The army asked for her rank in the “party” and who is her “secretary.” The army also told Funelas that she has to “report” 8:00 a.m. the next day, threatening “hindi kita titigilan (I’ll go after you)” if she does not cooperate.

 

The soldiers only allowed Funelas to go home after she gave the names of her family members. Soldiers also guarded her house. The following day, the same soldiers summoned Funelas’ in-laws. Her whole family wants to flee their home out of fear. These soldiers were encamped at the barangay hall, just in front of a daycare center. As a result, lesser children are coming to the center because the parents were afraid.

 

“The people of Mindanao and Bicol prove that violations of human rights are part of BS Aquino’s policy. But, this only serves to strengthen the ties among people victimized by BS Aquino.

 

As the Manilakbayan nears the Philippine capital, BS Aquino should now be afraid. The Filipino people holding the Aquino government accountable to the crimes of negligence, human rights violations and war crimes are increasing exponentially,” Palabay ended.

 

http://bicoltoday.com/2014/11/19/bicol-mindanao-groups-join-forces-to-call-end-to-aquinos-oplan-bayanihan/