Dav Or mining town fears military presence

MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL � Residents of Barangay Sanghay, this town expressed fears over the presence in the area of military troops belonging to the 28h infantry battalion (IB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Some 50-100 troops have been reportedly staying in the civilian vicinity particularly at the Barangay hall, inside the chapel and in the covered court near civilian houses, said according to Franchie Buhayan, Anakpawis partylist spokesperson, Anakpawis being one of the groups that joined the Interfaith and Peace Mission who recently went to Davao Oriental.

Residents are worried of possible repeat of human rights violations. They also expressed their strong opposition to a mining project, saying that the military presence in the area is strongly linked to their stance against the project.

Meanwhile, officials of Barangay village have been calling for the resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) in the pursuit of just and lasting peace in the country.

Residents of Barangay San Isidro in Lupon, Davao Oriental also expressed fears over the presence of military troops in their community, saying this will imperil their peaceful living and their livelihood.

Residents reported that the military troops from the 28th IB of the AFP have been roving and staying in their houses since July this year, purportedly to keep an eye over their daily activities.

Some local residents have already filed a complaint against the military at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as the government troops have been staying at their respective houses over the last 2 months.

The military also conducted census tagging among the residents and forcing them to sign waivers and suspicious documents.

Civilians also reported that they were required by the military to attend in a pulong-pulong (mass meetings) to watch a film which depicted partylist groups Bayan Muna and Gabriela and other organizations as communist fronts and enemies of the people.

The residents of Baranggay San Isidro are strongly opposing the planned mining operations in their area. A certain Bearbull Incorporated have been eyeing their chromate-rich area and other neighboring places in Davao Oriental for a mining exploration.

Environmental alliance Panalipdan Southern Mindanao denounced the presence of military in the vicinity of the civilians. It also stressed that the military operations in the area aim to quell local resistance against the mining project and drive away civilian oppositors in the area.

For reference:

Franchie Buhayan,
Anakpawis spokesperson
Mobile number, 0910-667-1009

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