Massive army operations in Mountain Province hit

SAGADA, Mountain Province --The Leonardo Pacsi Command of the New People’s Army assailed widespread military operations in the western towns of Mountain Province even as the rebel groups said it supports opposition against “anti-development renewable energy projects” under the guise of being “environmentally friendly” and “pro-people”.

“From January 30 up to the second week of February, we have witnessed massive deployment of elements of the 54thIB in several barrios and mountains of Sagada, Besao, Tadian, Bauko and Bontoc,” the NPA said in a statement.

In barrios, army soldiers reportedly encamped in public places such as the barangay clinic of Suyo, Sagada and forcibly took over and stayed at people’s houses in Balili, Bontoc.

“They parked their military vehicles and trespassed on the school grounds of the elementary school in Kin-iway, Besao. They also occupied the workplaces of gardeners in Lake Danum at the boundary of Sagada and Besao and set up encampments all over the said agricultural area. The people of Sagada and Besao including those in other places in MP have complained that the mere presence of these soldiers in such public places and production areas are instilling fear and disturbing the peace and order and agricultural production of farmers and gardeners.”

The NPA quoted RadyoSagada that last Feb. 6, 2013, the military announced that 300 of their troops occupied Lake Danum, which prompted local executives and personalities to ask them to vacate the area because of the complaints of gardeners and the people of Sagada and Besao.

“The military, in token response, simply shifted to nearby areas only to return after a few days,” the NPA said. “Their maneuvers to enter and occupy positions inside the barrios were done under the cover of darkness to dissimulate troop movements. This further terrorized the people who were shocked to wake up to swarming troops and military vehicles in their barrio.”

According to the NPA, these acts were gross violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDFP).

The said agreement prohibits armed troops from occupying public places and using these as barracks, depot and other military purposes.

The same is stated by the UNICEF to protect children who are the victims when the military use schools and other public places.

“The military’s overbearing behavior shows that they do not obey laws, these be the international law on the conduct of war and the protection of children, the ordinances of the local government (LGU) or the traditional customs and regulations of indigenous peoples.” the NPA said.