Troops harass PhilHealth workers; gov airs concern

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Two government PhilHealth workers assailed the Philippine Army for harassing and interrogating them, saying they were involved with the underground movement of the New People’s Army.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen informed the Provincial Peace and Order Council which he chairs saying this was of deep concern.

Earlier, the two Philhealth profilers from Ankileng, Sagada and Bontoc were doing profiling for Philhealth beneficiaries of the provincial local government unit, in the southern part of Sagada, complained at the office of the governor of interrogation by members of the 54th Infantry Battalion.

In said PPOC meeting, Lt. Col Francisco Millare, battallion commander of the 54th infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army assigned in Mountain Province told Mayaen the incident will not happen again and that the military chief shall act on the complaint.

It was learned that on Saturday morning, Feb. 9, military elements surrounded the barangay clinic where both Philhealth workers were staying and asked them questions suggesting they were involved with communist insurgents.

Both Philhealth profilers told the troopers they were insurgents nor connected with communist guerillas, it was learned.

A day earlier on Feb. 8, the same military elements numbering around 20 to 25 requested they rest for the night at the barangay clinic prompting clinic personnel to tell them that Philhealth workers were staying in the clinic and would they please find refuge in other places.

The military men apparently resented this so they resorted to interrogating and harassing the PhilHealth workers.