Representatives of farmers, rural women, fisherfolks, and rights defenders in Southern Negros Occidental have come forward to expose what they claim to be threats, intimidation, and coercion by military personnel and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) during a press conference in Bacolod City last October 16. 

These individuals allege that they are being falsely accused of supporting the New People’s Army (NPA) and pressured to cut ties with the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group, Inc. (PDG), a local development NGO.

The farmers and activists assert that PDG, a duly registered non-stock, non-profit organization, has been a legitimate contributor to improving their livelihoods and understanding their rights for more than three decades of its operation.

Over the past months, the military personnel have repeatedly visited their communities, spreading allegations that PDG is a recruiter and supporter of the NPA, which the resource persons vehemently deny.

Last September 21, during an activity organized by NTF-ELCAC in Kabankalan City, a self-proclaimed NPA surrenderee, Jonel Moreno, who identified himself as “Ka Roy,” claimed to have served as a liaison between PDG and the NPA.

However, the representatives at the press conference deny any knowledge of “Ka Roy” and reiterate their trust in PDG’s legitimacy.

Perla’s Testimony

Perla Jaleco-Pabillar, an organizer for PDG in Cauayan, South Negros, has been experiencing threats and harassment from military personnel almost daily since July.

Perla received a threatening letter on October 3, and the following day, a military element warned her that her family might just discover her dead if she didn’t cease her work with PDG.

After the October 4 incident, Perla reported it to local authorities and filed a police blotter.

She has since then been approached by military personnel trying to persuade her to stop her work, as she is allegedly on a list by Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) with a shoot-to-kill order. Perla also received threatening text messages from someone named Sgt. David Villanueva, who warned her to stop her activities or else she will die.

Perla also reports that Sgt. Jomar Castro of the 15th Infantry Battalion has allegedly spreading among peasant, fisherfolk, and farm worker associations that PDG is a recruiter for the NPA and vilified Perla and other PDG organizers during meetings in various areas where PDG is active, including Brgy Tuyom, Brgy. Kaliling, and Brgy Guilungan.

In the latest incident, Joper Makiling, CMO (civilian-military operations) supervisor of the Visayas region, called Perla a “traitor” for reporting the incident to the police and urged her to reverse her report.

Perla believes she is being monitored and surveilled in her daily activities.

Perla has called for an end to the military’s actions, and emphasized the positive impact of PDG’s work on rural communities.

“Maayo ang katuyuan sang PDG sa pagbulig sang mga mangunguma, mangingisda, kag mamumugon. Mismo ang pumuluyo, ang mga asosasyon, ang maka pamatuod nga wala kamatuoran ang ila mga pamahog sa amon,” Perla said. 

(“The PDG’s purpose is noble in helping farmers, fishermen, and laborers. Even the residents and associations can testify to the falsehood of their allegations against us,” Perla said.)

Woman farmer speaks out

Florena Talibutab, a farmer from Brgy. Tabunan, Kabankalan City, has also shared her experiences with the military since June.

She reports that they have been visiting her home regularly, with no cessation in their presence through August, September, and October. Their primary focus during these visits has been taking photographs and requesting lists of association members, their officers, and their total numbers.

Despite Florena’s refusal to provide these information, the military continues to press them for details.

Florena recalls an encounter with five military men, including De La Cruz, Rallios, De Mateo, and De Atras, who asked her to attend a meeting in Brgy Orong. She declined their invitation.

The following day, they approached her once again, this time insisting that she attend a meeting the next morning at 5 AM at their brigade in Murcia. She refused to go again.

The military’s visits persisted until September, each time presenting a written resolution claiming that the PDG supported the NPA. Florena did not sign any of these resolutions.

Florena’s daughter was also approached and asked to sign another resolution. This particular resolution aimed to certify their participation in a so-called “peace rally” in Kabankalan while condemning alleged legal fronts of the CPP-NPA.

Florena asserts that they were not present at the peace rally since she was, in fact, at the Dr. Gumersindo Garcia Sr. Memorial Hospital at the time. She notes that their address in the resolution is incorrect, stating that they reside in Brgy Hilamunan, not Brgy Orong, as indicated in the document.

She demands an end to the harassment and interrogation. Florena emphasizes that these actions disrupt their ability to work peacefully and make a living as farmers.

Fisherfolks under attack

Alex Necessario of PAWIS assocation, a fisherfolk organization based in Brgy. San Juan, also decried the relentless militarization and harassment they experienced with state forces and the Ntf-elcac all while experiencing challenges in acquiring their land.

The association alleges that the DAR has manipulated the process of land acquisition to serve their interests, and that the military, in conjunction with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), has been employed to suppress the fervent aspirations of the beneficiaries to obtain the land they depend on for their lives.

Since June 2020, multiple military forces, including the Special Action Force (SAF) and the PNP, have camped in their midst, generating fear among the beneficiaries. The DAR has taken advantage of the situation, asserting that little progress can be made in the land acquisition process due to the substantial influence of the military and the presence of the Yusay family.

The struggle of PAWIS San Juan dates back to 2006, enduring over two decades under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which Alex claims as a failed land reform program.

Members of PAWIS have experienced the gradual displacement from their jobs, as a slew of ejectment cases, imprisonment, harassment, and confrontations have been initiated against them. At the height of the pandemic lockdown last 2020, many of their members were arrested on trumped-up charges. Their bail reached up to Php36,000 each, draining their already measly resources.

Intricacies in the process have added to their woes. Erroneous issuance of notices of coverage, flawed resolutions from the Provincial Agrarian Reform Committee (PARCCOM) excluding lands from the process, and other issues have left them frustrated. They call for the DAR to provide suitable solutions and adhere to the law in their journey to land reform.

In 2021, PAWIS members were reportedly compelled by elements from the Ntf-elcac to surrender as rebels.

Amidst these challenges, the PAWIS association has found support in PDG Inc. According to Alex, it was the late Atty. Ben Ramos, then director of PDG, who initially extended a helping hand to them.

Ramos was shot and killed by alleged state-sponsored assailants on November 6, 2018.

Alex maintains that PDG has operated with transparency, without any hidden agendas or underground affiliations, contrary to the claims made by an individual named Ka Roy. 

In Alex’s view, Ka Roy appears to be a creation of the military with the intention of discrediting the PDG, which has been a valuable source of support throughout their ordeals.

Farmer groups denounce disinfo campaign

“Ang ini nga problema naga ugat sa problema sa duta nga naka konsentra sa pipila lang ka dalagko nga agalun may duta, sa palpak nga CARP,” Danilo Tabura of Kilusang Magbubukid Negros (KMP) said.

“This problem stems from the issue of land concentrated in the hands of a few large landowners due to the failed CARP,” stated Danilo Tabura of Kilusang Magbubukid Negros (KMP).

Tabura claims that for as long as there is no genuine land reform, the government will continue to deploy its state forces to curb any resistance from farmers who demand it.

Tabura claims the attacks against PDG is essentially an attack against farmers right to organizer and assert their democratic rights.

Tuyom Small Farmers Association (TUSFA), Salong and Camansi Farmers Association (AMMCAO), Paghiliusa sang mga Mangunguma kag Mamumugon sa Salong kag Camansi (PAMANGAS-CA), Kauswagan sang Bino para sa Hilway nga Palangabuhian (KABUHIAN) and other local associations in South Negros have since then released statements condemning the disinformation campaign against PDG.

The associations emphasized that PDG has been an invaluable partner in assisting them for many years, offering guidance on agrarian reform, sustainable agriculture, and productive techniques.

They have reaffirmed their commitment to working together with PDG to continue their mission to improve the lives of impoverished farmers and laborers. They have urged the public not to be misled by false information spread by individuals like Roy and to stand up for their rights and land reform.