KATUNGOD Sinirangan Bisayas demands the AFP to pull-out of Ruby-stricken areas In time for the commemoration of the 64th International Human Rights Day, local human rights group Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas (KATUNGOD SB) today demands the Armed Forces of the Philippines to cease terrorizing communities in the hinterlands of the Eastern Visayas region and immediately pull out their forces especially in areas badly-hit by typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit). Atty. Kathrina Castillo, Spokesperson of Katungod SB said that the presence of the military in the communities of Samar and Leyte evokes terror and fear to the evacuees who are barely bouncing back from their lives after the onslaught of the storm. Most parts of the Samar Island particularly in Eastern and Northern Samar, which were on the direct path of the storm were badly affected especially the farmlands thus, millions of damage to the agriculture sector. Castillo added that the continuing militarization in the said areas would even slow down the recovery of the farmers. It is part of the mercenary tradition of the AFP to sow fear and terror to the poor farmers whom they generally tag as enemies of the state. Castillo also said that militarization would be the least thing that the people of Leyte and Samar would be wishing for. “Heavy military deployment is no what the people need right now, what they need are relief package, economic aid, and reconstruction assistance,” said Castillo. Also, the human rights group condemns the massive deployment of military forces in the Eastern Visayas region for the sole reason of attempting to avert any instance of looting after the storm, and to protect the big banking institutions, department stores, and malls particularly in Tacloban city. KATUNGOD claims that it is an insult to the people of Eastern Visayas who have already been labeled as looters. The group believes that the looting incidents in Tacloban City after the blitz of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is only the effect of flunk disaster response and criminal negligence of the Aquino administration. Katungod calls on the people to unite in demanding for the immediate retreat of all military forces deployed both in the countryside and the cities to finally put a halt to the worsening cases of rights abuses against the people committed by the state forces. “We call on the people to resist, fight, and frustrate the Aquino government’s deceptive, anti-people, and pro-imperialists Oplan Bayanihan,” concluded Castillo.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:23:36 +0000
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