September 27, 2014 Press Statement Condemn the militarization in Katipunan Make the AFP accountable for the destruction and fear inflicted on the community A month after the aerial bombardment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Bgy. Fimagas, Katipunan,Zamboanga del Norte, a National Solidarity and Fact-Finding Mission to expose and condemn the militarization of Bgy. Fimagas in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte led by the groups Advocates for Peace (AdPeace), an alliance of church workers, professionals who are also peace advocates in Zamboanga Peninsula and Protect – Zamboanga, an alliance of different organizations campaigning for the protection of Zamboanga Peninsulas environment and resources against development aggression caused by mining. On August 20, 2014, at 3:00 in the afternoon, a composite team of the 32nd IBPA, 18th IBPA,15 Deep Reconnaisance Company (DRC) of the 1st Tabak Division and the Air Force conducted a military operation at Purok 4, Bgy Fimagas, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte causing the forcible evacuation of more than a hundred and fifty (150) Subanen individuals from the different Purok and trauma due to the bombing. Several incidents of human rights violations have been reported by the community due to aerial bombardment, including destruction of properties, endangerment of the residents especially the women and children. Twelve (12) bombs were dropped in the community that lasted until 6:00 in the evening causing the residents to scamper for safety, a newborn baby was separated from her mother, a resident suffered trauma to the point of killing a next of kin, and children cringed in fear at the sound of motorcycle reminding them of the helicopters. On August 21, the army continued to fire their guns at Purok 4, refraining the residents from going back to their communities. What is more condemnable is the fact that the bombing was conducted as a part of the training exercise or “practice” of the Philippine Army and the Airforce. The residents did not witness any encounter or “gubat” between the military and the New Peoples Army which the military reported as the reason behind the aerial bombardment. As reported by the residents, the Mayor Crisostomo Iguia of Katipunan informed his leaders in Bgy. Fimagas that the AFP will bombard Purok 4 due to reports of New People Army(NPA) presence. However, the residents have not seen any NPA units in their area, only the Philippine Army which stayed in their community since May 2014. And on August 19, there were even 24 elements of the Philippine Army that were already stationed themselves at hillside of Purok 4. The National Solidarity and Fact-Finding Mission holds the military and the local government responsible for the human rights violations committed by the AFP against the residents of Bgy. Femagas, Katipunan. It is ironic that when the military first positioned their unit in Bgy. Fimagas, they held a forum promising help and development for the community. But the same units caused fear and danger to the community. We call for the immediate pull-out of the military because they are further endangering civilian lives. Before and after the bombing, the group also documented cases of threat, harassment and intimidation of residents, violation of their domicile as the military searched their homes looking for any signs of civilian involvement with the NPA, and divestment of farmers (mag-uuma) properties and livelihood. Residents cannot leave the area without asking permission and register at the baranggay. These cases are due to four months stay of the military in the area. The group challenges the AFP and the local government to state the truth behind the militarys permanent stay in Bgy. Fimagas. Failing to establish the presence of the NPA in the area, the only reason left is the militarys role in the expansion of the mining area in Zamboanga del Norte. In 2012, the Toronto Ventures Inc (TVI) held meetings and “consultations” in Bgy. Fimagas. Military operations were also conducted in neighboring baranggays in Bulawan, Malasay and Karupay – all of which were said to be targets of mining areas. The National Solidarity and Fact-Finding mission was able to interview victims and ocular visit to the place of incident. Different groups from Manila and the different regions in Mindanao participated in the mission and interviewed victims and held an ocular inspection as well as facilitated the documentation of their cases such as the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (KMP), Children Rehabilitation Center and Salinlahi Alliance for Childrens Concerns, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, the Salabukan nok Gtaw Subanen (Solidarity of the Subanen People) or SGS, Karapatan – Western Mindanao, AFUZS, MAGBABAUL, SCMP (Student Christian Movement of the Philippines) and other youth groups from September 19-20 and September 26. Ten (10) priests from the Iglesia Filipina Indipendiente (IFI) also conducted a dialogue with the victims of militarization in Bgy. Fimagas on September 26. Reference: 1. Ka Tonying Flores, national secretary-general, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (09471571458) 2. Right Reverend Antonio Nercua Ablon, AdPeace Convenor (09477177577) 3. Sarah Espineda, Children Rehabilitation Center (09983361440) 4. Wilson Buenaza, regional chairperson Salabukan nok Gtaw Subanen (09101774607) 5. Juanioto Caramba, regional chairperson, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Western Mindanao (09483266350) 6. Junry Sending, Karapatan – Western Mindanao (09475190781)
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 23:49:20 +0000
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