ILOILO City – Human rights group Panay Alliance Karapatan has condemned what it claimed as the harassment and red-tagging of land rights activists, urging the government to end the militarization of rural communities in Iloilo Province.
The organization raised concerns over alleged repeated profiling and accusations by state forces, particularly targeting advocates involved with local farmers and peasant associations.
In a statement, Karapatan claimed that one of the recent victims of red-tagging is Nathaniel Baga-ut, the local coordinator of the land and environmental rights group Dagyaw Pesante in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
From February 1-4, according to Karapatan, Baga-ut was repeatedly accused by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of being a recruiter for the New People’s Army, a claim that Bag-ut denied.
In 2023, Karapatan added, Lucia Capaducio, chairperson of the regional peasant organization PAMANGGAS, also faced surveillance and red-tagging by the Philippine Army.
It alleged that soldiers visited Capaducio’s home, labeling her as an NPA leader and pressuring her family for information.
Rural areas in Panay Island have seen increased military and police presence, according to Karapatan, and it said this is meant to instill fear and deter activism. It identified these areas as the municipalities of Kalibo and New Washington in Aklan; Hamtic and Sibalom in Antique; Calinog, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, and Tubungan in Iloilo; Cuartero and Tapaz in Capiz; and even barangays in Roxas City and Iloilo City.
Karapatan called on the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to halt what it alleged as the targeting of activists and the red-tagging of individuals involved in land and environmental rights movements.
“We demand the withdrawal of troops from civilian communities and the cessation of all forms of military intimidation against land rights advocates,” Karapatan stated in a statement.
The group also emphasized the need for the government to recognize and respect the constitutional rights of farmers and indigenous peoples to freely organize and pursue their legitimate interests./PN
