Militant group to conduct probe into Aloguinsan incident

CEBU, Philippines - After the incident in Aloguinsan late last month which resulted in the detention of farmers and students, the Bayan Muna launched a national “fact-finding and solidarity mission.”

Bayan Muna Secretary General Arman Perez said the group will conduct an in-depth probe of the issue and will move for a possible congressional investigation.

“This is to strengthen our case. This is also part and parcel of our legal action,” Perez told The FREEMAN.

From Tuesday to Thursday next week, the group will send lawyers to Aloguinsan to gather more evidence, aside from getting the affidavits from farmers and students.

“Among balikon ang community. We will see the after effects if naa pa ba’y mga follow-up na harassment,” he said.

Two days after the farmers were released from jail, Perez said, elements of the 78th Infantry Battalion conducted a house-to-house inquiry of the farmers.

“They were asking kinsa ang mga nagpuyo. Kay naka-receive daw sila ug intelligence report nga naa’y armed groups in Negros Oriental na mu-support sa struggle sa mga farmers,” Perez said, also denying the claim of the military.

Perez added that some soldiers are now roving the shores of the town while policemen are also patrolling the roads.

Bayan Muna said the possible congressional inquiry is “in aid of legislation” through their partylist representatives Anakpawis, together with Makabayan bloc partylist.

Perez said they are also aiming to get more support for the San Roque Farmers Association.

Apart from Bayan Muna Party List-Cebu and Anakpawis-National, the farmers’ group in Aloguinsan is also backed by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-National and Cebu, and the Central Visayas Farmers Development Center Inc. (FARDEC).

Bayan Muna contends that 86 farming household-members of SRFA, or 485 individuals in Bonbon who have been farming in the area since 1910, are ejected by a “claiming landowner Gantuangco who is only holding a tax declaration.”

In August 29, a riot broke out where policemen clashed with about 250 protestors who were trying to stop the fencing of a disputed 168-hectare tract of agricultural land. Thirty-nine were arrested and were bailed out in September 3. — (FREEMAN)