The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) today slammed the intensified militarization of parts of Eastern Samar by the Armed Forces of the Philippines since January 31 this year, as exposed by the Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (Sagupa-SB).

“Elements of the 14th Infantry Battalion have been harassing the peasant communities in Can-avid town and spreading martial law-like terror among the masses,” said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago “Sanny” Salas in a statement. “The soldiers forced residents to attend assemblies in Barangays Boco, Pandol, and Can-ilay, intimidating them with threats of lengthy military and psywar operations.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson described as “clear violations of the international humanitarian law” how the soldiers “unwantedly stay in civilian structures such as barangay halls and houses, and restrict free movement as well as conduct surveillance of civilians by asking for identification cards and holding censuses.”

“This goes to show the US-Duterte regime’s Oplan Kapayapaan wantonly violates the rights of civilians,” noted Fr. Salas. “Other areas such as Northern Samar have seen heightened militarization and continuing human rights violations. As political, economic, and social conditions rapidly worsen for the Filipino masses, Duterte’s increasing ironhandedness pushes them into the arms of revolution. The AFP’s commander-in-chief is paving the way for his own political demise.”

“The NDF-EV urges the people of Eastern Samar and the entire region to resist militarization and human rights violations, insist for the release of arrested peasants and all political prisoners, and unite and oust Duterte. The NDF-EV also calls on on the New People’s Army to punish the human rights violators in the AFP by launching punitive actions and other tactical offensives according to capabilities, contribute towards the people’s toppling of the US-Duterte regime, and advance the people’s war,” Fr. Salas ended.#

Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson

NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

28 February 2018