“We declare our appeal to cease the coercion within our associations and discontinue the forced adoption of a resolution that was not created by us.”

Five farmers associations from Sitio Bino, Kabankalan City have come together to denounce the resolution proposed by the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army. Led by Sergeant Demateo, the army’s resolution aims to condemn the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA), and other organizations labeled as “front organizations” by the military.

The signatories are as follow: Kauswagan sang Bino para sa Hilway nga Palangabuhian (KABUHI-AN), Buhi nga Aksyon para sa Pag-amlig sa Siguridad sang Mangunguma kag Mamumugon (BAKAS), Kauswagan sang Mamumugon Mangunguma sa Bino (KASMABI), Asosasyon Sang Magagmay nga Mangunguma kag Mamumugon sa Orong (AMMBO), and Asosasyon sang mga Mangunguma kag Mamumugon sa Lupni nga naga Updanay (AMMLU).

These associations have also vehemently expressed their concerns over the militarization and harassment faced by their members.

“Leaders of our associations have been repeatedly approached, coerced to surrender association documents, and coerced into attending meetings,” the statement says.

They have also been allegedly dissuaded from participating in activities that defend their rights, as they are being accused as members of armed groups.  In one instance, Rosalia Kilayko was approached and pressured to hand over their papers.

On May 6, 2023, they were summoned to Barangay Orong by Captain Gerardo Gonzaga, where they were informed of the Army’s request to create a resolution denouncing the CPP-NPA and other alleged front organizations.

The harassment continued on May 19 and 20, as Sergeant De Atras visited the homes of Argene Seron and Nancy Vingno, officials of the KABUHI-AN association, as well as Florena Talibutab, MeIchor Hilado, and Ma. Christina Magtubo of the AMMIU association. They were pressured to attend a meeting to finalize the resolution, but these leaders did not comply.

On May 25, Sergeant Rallos, De Atras, Demateo, and an unidentified army personnel visited Flonna Talibutab, insisting that she accompany them to the Army headquarters in Murcia on May 26; otherwise, they threatened harm to the group. Roberto Poras was also approached by De Atras on the same day with a similar summons from the Army.

On May 3, 2023, Crispin Tingal, a farmer from Sitio Dangalon, Brgy. Hilamonan, was killed by an army and paraded as a rebel allegedly killed in an encounter. His family refutes such claim and asserts that he is a farmer. His son, Cristan Tingal, narrowly escaped the gunfire and managed to flee.

These incidents from April and May serve as just a few examples of the ongoing harassment and intimidation faced by the associations. Despite this pattern, the distressing incidents against them persist.

“We await the support and assistance of the government in terms of livelihood and basic services. Our needs, particularly regarding the exorbitant cost of basic commodities, are not met. We can barely afford to eat three meals a day. The Philippine Army is not what we need. Instead, they have caused distress among us with their threats against our officials and their potential misuse of the Anti-terror law against us,” the associations said in a joint statement.

The associations assert that they have no affiliation with the New People’s Army and are not involved in any illegal activities.

“We support government programs that we perceive as beneficial. We come together through our associations to safeguard our interests and rights in acquiring the desired land and protecting it from encroachment. We hope to achieve progress without any hindrance to our work in pursuing our goals,” the associations assert.

The associations raise concerns about the possibility of false accusations and unlawful apprehensions, citing previous incidents in Guihulngan where innocent farmers were wrongfully captured and killed.

The associations implore the authorities to prioritize the well-being and rights of the community, and to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of harassment, coercion, and intimidation perpetrated by the 94th IB Philippine Army.

“We call upon the LGU, Provincial Government, and Commission on Human Rights to investigate their actions in our community and address the unsettling presence of the military, which creates a climate of fear among us,” their statement concludes.