Human rights groups and activists lambast the incidents of indiscriminate aerial bombings and machine gun stafing in the communities of Brgy. Hacienta Intal in Baggao, Cagayan last February 2. More than 150 families forced to evacuate their homes, leaving their livelihood behind.
According to Danggayan Cagayan Valley, elements of 501st Infantry Brigade and Tactical Operation Group of the Philippine Air Force conducted these operations. Four bombs, rockets and machine gun strafing were launched upon using T129 Attack Helicopter and Sikorsky Black Hawk.
The group added that these military troops have long been bombing peasant and indigenous peoples communities every year, on Sept. 21, 2021 in Dungeg, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan and on January 29, 2022 in four barangays in Gonzaga, Cagayan.
Department of Social Welfare and Development reported 107 families or 235 people were affected and forced to evacuate the area in addition to those in the temporary evacuation center at the barangay hall.
“Lubusang naapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng mga residente, naiwan ang kanilang mga maisan at mga alagang hayop na kalabaw, baboy, aso at manok. Karamihan sa mga residente ay nagsasaka sa kanilang upland farms na sa ngayon ay nilalagyan nila ng abono at gamot. Naiwan rin ng mga magsasaka ang mga inaani nilang luya,” ssaid Danggayan Cagayan Valley in a statement.
They added that farmers were barred from entering their farms. Checkpoints were set up and to control the mobility of the farmers. Military troops would require them to present valid ID upon access.
“Labis labis na nahihirapan ngayon ang mga magsasaka dulot ng walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng batayang pangangailangan lalo na ang gamit sa pagsasaka habang bagsak presyo ang mga produktong magsasaka. Baon sa utang ang mga magsasaka lalupa’t sunod-sunod ang mga bagyong dumating sa bansa. Imbis na bigyan ng ayuda ang mga magsasaka, winawaldas ng gobyerno ang malaking halaga sa mamahaling armamentong ginagamit laban sa sariling mamamayan,” the group added
Sandugo – Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination also condemned and referred this attack as an act of state terrorism against the Filipino people in the disguise of the government’s continuing counter-insurgency operations.
“Ito ay malinaw na hindi na lang paglabag sa karapatang pantao, paglabag din ito sa International Humanitarian Law. Nariyan din ang CARHRIHL na dapat nirerespeto ng estado sa usapin ng armadong tunggalian sa pagitan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas at ng CPP-NPA-NDF,” Eufemia Cullamat, national council member of Sandugo.
Cullamat stressed that these operations in Cagayan also led to massive destruction to the environment.
These attacks are similar to the situation among communities in Visayas and Mindanao.
October last year, the upland area of Himamaylan and other parts in Negros were put under a de facto Martial Law especially since the declaration of lockdown last October 6 where grave abuses of illegal arrests and torture of seven farmers were reported. Meanwhile, Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao particularly Marawi and Maguindanao, also greatly suffered from airstrikes and indiscriminate bombings. The Martial Law in Mindanao further resulted in deaths, displaced residents, and the destruction of communities. All these transpired under Marcos Jr. administration
“Tutulan at ipatigil ang ganitong mga aerial strafing at bombing sa mga pamayanang magsasaka. Alisin ang presensya ng mga sundalo ng AFP sa mga baryong ito upang makapanumbalik ang maayos, payapang kaisipan at kapanatagan ng loob, mawala ang ligalig at maitigil ang pang-aabuso ng karapatan at harassment sa mga residente sa kamay nila,” said Danggayan Cagayan Valley.
The group reiterated the call to end the militarization among rural communities and demanded for the abolition of Anti-Terrorism Law and Executive Order 70 which promotes counter-insurgency efforts that do not address the roots of armed conflict.
