APRIL 10, 2012 DATE

NR # 2705B
REF. NO.

House to probe alleged military abuses against civilians under Oplan Bayanihan
Lawmakers have called for a congressional inquiry into the killings, harassment, and threats allegedly perpetrated by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against civilians and members of progressive organizations. Reps. Raymond Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, ACT Teachers), Teddy Casio and Neri Javier Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus (Party-list, Gabriela) and Rafael Mariano (Partylist, Anakpawis), authors of House Resolution 2263, urged the House Committee on Human Rights to invite the concern parties to shed light on the matter. These charges are related to the counterinsurgency operations conducted by the military under the so-called Oplan Bayanihan, Palatino said. Palatino identified those who were killed during the military operations as Nicolas Ramos, a 45-year old farmer from Ilocos Sur; Elmer Valdez, 33, also a farmer; Lester Barrientos, 19, member of the Southern Tagalog Cultural Network in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Rodel Estrallado, 34, of Malilipot, Albay, and Kenneth Reyes, 28, president of Bayan-Batangas and a Barangay Captain of Maguihan, Lemery, Batangas. The victims of illegal arrests, detention, torture, harassment, vilification and filing of trumped-up charges are Mildred Salang-ey, 19, member of the League of Progressive Students and Kabataan Party-list; Ernesto Bubod, 54, vice-chieftain of the KalanguyaIgorot in Nueva Ecija; 72 activists, collectively known as the Southern Tagalog 72; Florencio Pagatpatan, 49, member of MAMBAYU, an organization of farmers; Luinesa Bonella, 24, waitress; Joy Anannyo Attiw, 22, farm worker; Edward Galao, 30, farmer; and Hilario Bantew, 43 (known as the Cervantes 4from Ilocos Sur); Joel Anonuevo, 38; Pedro Diaz, Jr., 25; Freddie Geronimo, 45; and Antonio Rivera, 35; Rufina Nolasco, 72, and Isabelo Alicaya, 59, both fisherfolk leaders from Batangas. Palatino said human rights violations also include encampment by the military in civilian areas and the use of schools for military purposes in Barangay Hukay, Calatagan, Mountain Province; Guinobatan, Albay; and Barangay Ambulugan, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. (30) dpt