Abuses, bombing of Cagayan town, NGO convenor arrest hit

GONZAGA, Cagayan -- Delegates of the Community Mercy Outreach (CMO) program here in Sta. Clara here assailed the Feb. 28 arrest of Agnes Mesina, Makabayan-Cagayan Valley coordinator and 1Sambayan Isabela convenor.”
    Mesian was one of delegates of an outreach program with a recalled warrant on a trumped-up charge in Tagum, Daval del Norte.
    Delegates, in a press statement, said they experienced series of harassments and blockade on Feb. 28 by armed state authorities.
    A total 66 participants of the CMO composed of church people, indigenous peoples’ advocate organizations, health workers, children’s rights advocates, environmentalists, farmers, and human rights workers were denied from providing humanitarian aid to residents of Sta. Clara, who were reportedly victims of aerial bombings and strafing in the community, they said in statement.
    “Last Jan. 2022, AFP forces dropped around 30 bombs in Sitio Bagsang, Sta Clara and nearby barrios from 3 a.m. until noon, claiming that an encounter transpired with the New People’s Army. This incident reportedly spread fear among the community and other barangays who witnessed the bombings and strafing as caught on video.
    After the blockade of people believed to be agents of NTF-ELCAC, the group was forced to go back to Aparri, Cagayan,” the statement said.
    “While having dinner, around 30 joint police and military forces in civilian clothes and in uniform barged in the eatery without presenting any search warrant or arrest warrant. Upon leaving, they arrested Agnes Mesina, Makabayan-Cagayan Valley Coordinator and 1Sambayan Isabela convenor.”
    Delegates condemned the “harassment, illegal arrest, aerial bombings and strafing, and continued vilification against farmers and activists.”
    They called for actions and resolutions on their complaints and the defunding of the NTF-ELCAC, the anti-communist program of the government.