Condemn the de facto martial law in Samar and the worsening political repression in the country – NDF-EV
The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) today called on the Filipino people to condemn the martial law conditions in peasant communities across the province of Samar , as the dictatorial US-Duterte regime intensifies political repression. “Duterte’s all-out war under Oplan Kapayapaan is gearing for total war and the possible imposition of martial law. The sufferings of miltarized civilian communities in Samar are only the latest in recent attacks including the assassination of an NDFP peace consultant, assaults on press freedom with online attacks against alternative media as well the arrest of Rappler executive editor Maria Ressa, and threats against the Catholic Church,” said Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas. Fr. Salas expressed grave concern for the safety of hundreds of innocent civilians in San Jose de Buan town in Samar who now fear for their lives as Duterte’s minions in the AFP subject them to hamletting, and psychological warfare.
Around 200 troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army have been camping in several barrios including Brgy. Can-ponte, Sitio San Pedro, Sitio Fernandez, Brgy. Cataydungan, Brgy. Hagbay, Brgy. San Nicolas, Brgy. Gusa, and Brgy. Aguingayan in the said town this month, according to Katungod-Sinirangan Bisayas. “The residents were forcibly interrogated, photographed, and made to sign blank sheets of paper. The soldiers are also planning to build a camp less than 10 meters away from a local school and evacuation center, to use them as human shields which is in clear violation of international humanitarian law,” Fr. Salas added.
He noted that the military occupation of San Jose de Buan come as elements of the 63rd IB have yet to leave Barangay Bay-ang in San Jorge, Samar, after residents were forced out of their community by the troops’ strafing, helicopter overflights and aerial bombardment. “The intensified militarization has prevented the children from attending school and the residents from living peaceful lives. Even the children suffer as Duterte desperately intensifies his attacks against all political opposition in vain hope of establishing an outright fascist dictatorship surpassing even his avowed idol Marcos.”
Fr. Salas called on all peace-loving people to expose the human rights violations in the countryside and support the struggle of peasants against militarization and Oplan Kapayapaan. “We demand the Duterte regime observe the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and to pull
out its troops from civilian communities. The people in the cities,
such as church people, media, human rights advocates, must unite to expose, isolate and oust Duterte’s tyrannical and corrupt regime.
Fascist troops in the barrios of Samar, out now!” he called.#