Ordinary civilians in Sorsogon could not live peacefully as the 31st IB, 22nd IB, 93rd Civil Military Operations (CMO) Company and police forces repeatedly coerce them to “surrender” under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).
The most recent victims include residents of barangays San Jose and San Isidro in the town of Bulusan; Barangay San Ramon in Barcelona; and Barangay Bitan-o in Sorsogon City. In recent months, the military repeatedly coerced the residents to “surrender” as supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Manoy Rike was among the victims of forced surrenders in these villages. He works as a porter and carries products from farms to a nearby road. He earns ₱500 daily, which he uses to make ends meet for his family. When the military began its forced surrender campaign in their village, he lost more than his income.
Barrios that are under RCSP operations are subjected to military rule. Red-tagging, threat, harassment and intimidation against those accused of being supporters of the armed movement are rampant in these villages. Manoy Rike was summoned by the military to “clear” his name. Each round of interrogation lasts about six hours. This is aside from time wasted during the “surrender” day itself. Based on his estimates, he could have earned around ₱1,500-₱2,000 had he not been disturbed by the military.
On top of this, he loses more than ₱3,500 during RSCP operations in the barrio which usually last one week. “I could not go to the land I lease because soldiers might gang up on me alone in the farm. I could not feed the carabaos and cows, and could not visit other barrios,” he complained. “If I fail to appear before them, they will go to my family and harass them.”
“This is why residents opt not to go out of their houses during these operations in the barrio,” said Manoy Rike. Interrogations are conducted daily in villages subjected to RCSP. Other residents are summoned to the barangay hall or military camp up to three times daily. They are made to sign documents without being informed what these are for, and their pictures taken. The intimidation campaign culminates in an assembly where residents are made to take their “oath of allegiance” to the state, and admit that they are “NPA supporters.” The victims have repeatedly complained to the mayor of Barcelona and other local officials. The youth of Barangay Bitan-o complained that residents are being harassed and coerced by the 93rd CMO to falsely identify their neighbors as “NPA supporters.” But since local governments are dominated by Duterte’s National Task Force (NTF)-Elcac, they cannot act to address the complaints of their constituents. The 93rd CMO usually connives with the local media to whitewash its atrocity.
Residents are annoyed with the repeated “surrender” ceremonies mounted with only a gap of one month. An example of this is the forced surrender of 70 residents of Sta. Cruz and San Ramon in Barcelona who where forced to “surrender” in February 2020. They were once again assembled on April 8 in the town center to “pledge their allegiance” and stage a “rally” against the NPA. Later on November 19, they were again forced to “surrender” during an activity in Barangay Bitan-o. Other “surrenderees” were arrested or liquidated by the military. Most of them are known for not complying with the order of the military and police to spy on their villagefolk and relatives. Data by the NPA-Sorsogon indicate that at least three “surenderees” were arrested and another was killed.
Aside from Barcelona and Sorsogon City, forced “surrender” campaigns are also being conducted in other parts of the province. In Donsol, 17 civilians, including three barangay officials, were coerced to “surrender” in October. In Juban, residents of Barangay Calateo were forced to “surrender” twice. From January 2020 to August 2021, Sorsoganons from at least 97 barangays in 10 towns and cities were coerced to “surrender.” The said barangays are among the 113 barangays across the province which have been subjected to forced “surrenders” since 2018. Although afraid, Manoy Rike is filled with anger. “By harassing us and disrupting our lives, soldiers only prove themselves to be depraved people. They are Duterte’s attack dogs who do not care about us who are poor. They do not care about the huge losses we suffer when they are here. How will I be able to pay for the cabinet which I bought on credit if I am not able to work for several days?”
“Nothing has changed! We will still fight! Regardless of how many times they coerce us to pledge our allegiance to them, the military will never win the hearts of the people,” said ka Manoy Rike.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/12/07/burdensome-surrender-drive-in-sorsogon/
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