STAND WITH SAMAR-LEYTE

Protect our rights and land

URGENT APPEAL FOR AN IMMEDIATE NATIONAL FACT-FINDIG MISSION AND

RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE AERIAL
BOMBING IN BRGY. CAPOTO-AN, LAS NAVAS, NORTHERN SAMAR

Last October 26, at around 6 in the morning, the Joint Task Force Storm (JTF Storm) of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command and the 8th Infantry Division conducted “surgical
strikes” near the vicinity of Brgy. Capoto-an, Las Navas, Northern Samar supposedly in pursuit of
members of the New People’s Army (NPA) encamped in the area. They dropped 500 pounds worth of
bombs three consecutive times, thus evoking fear and trauma among the 70 families or more or less 350
individuals in the said village. Initial reports say that vegetable farms and field of farmers have been
intensely damaged.

Due to the said bombings, not less than 24 families decided to fled and take refuge in the nearby villages
of L. Empon and Brgy. Paco. Following the air strikes are the intensified combat operations of the AFP
where in 140 soldiers have surrounded Brgy. Capoto-an, essentially hamletting the said village. The
livelihood of the farmers is affected as they opt not to go their farms for fear of being tagged as a member
of the NPA.

Last August, the same barrio was hamletted by the military, houses and effects were illegally searched,
and threatened by the 20th Infantry Battalion with a massive massacre if an encounter would occur again
within the barangay’s vicinity.

Reportedly, nearby villages of Brgy. Capoto-an such as Brgy. Sag-od and other villages were subject to
intensive combat operations two weeks before the bombings, also forcing the residents to flee their
homes.

To date, the residents could barely go out of their village. Military officers are even alerted to halt any
mass evacuations that would occur any possible time within the area.

It is in this regard that we appeal to all human rights groups and advocates to participate on the National
Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission this coming November 9-10 in Las, Navas, Northern Samar to
further investigate the said incident and other human rights violations perpetrated by the state forces.
Tentative venue of the said mission will be in Brgy. Dapdap, Las Navas, Northern Samar, the nearest
docking area going to Brgy. Capoto-an.

In addition, the residents in the said village is in need of food and water. Any humble donation is
appreciated.

Please confirm your attendance on or before November 6, 2019. Should you have other concerns, please
contact Chakoy (0956 674 9846).

ALEX ABINGUNA
Convener, Stand with Samar-Leyte
Itinerary for the Fact-finding mission
Date Time Activity
November 10, 2019 5:00AM Arrival of delegates at BAYAN
Office
6:00PM Orientation of delegates
November 11, 2019 4:00-11:00AM Travel to Las Navas, Northern
Samar (via van)
11:00AM-12:00NN Courtesy call at the Municipal
Hall
12:00AM-1:00PM Lunch
1:00-2:00PM Travel to Brgy. Dapdap, Las
Navas, Northern Samar (via
pumpboat)
2:00-3:00PM Short program and orientation
3:00-5:00PM Start of documentation
5:00-6:30PM Dinner
6:30-8:00PM Solidarity Program
8:00-9:00PM Quick assessment of data
gathered
9:00PM Lights Off
November 12, 2019 5:00-6:30AM Breakfast
7:00-10:00AM Continuation of documentation
10:00-11:00AM Summing up and Closing
program
11:00AM-12:30NN Lunch
1:00-2:00PM Travel to Brgy. Dapdap, Las
Navas, Northern Samar
2:00PM-9:00PM Travel to Tacloban City
November 13, 2019 5:00-6:30AM Breakfast
8:00-11:00AM Assessment and finalization of
data
11:00AM-12:30NN Lunch
1:00-3:00PM Simultaneous CHR filing and
press conference
November 13, 2019 3:00PM Departure

TRAVEL ADVISORY

1) For delegates from the National Capital Region, you may take a plane and book a MNL-TAC
direct flight.
2) For delegates from Iloilo/Panay, you may take a 12-hour travel via boat (Cokaliong) from Iloilo
to Cebu and another 2 hour and 55 minutes boat ride from Cebu to Ormoc. From Ormoc, you
may take a van to Tacloban.
3) For delegates from Cebu, you may take either Supercat (travel time is 2 hour and 55 minutes) or
Roble (travel time is approximately 12 hours) to Ormoc. From Ormoc, you may take a van to
Tacloban.
4) A registration fee of Php1,000.00 will be requested from the delegates for the travel and food
expenses. A kit will also be provided.
5) Please submit names of confirmed delegates on or before November 6.