Press Release
April 12, 2005

41st IB sow terror in Abra to derail Cordillera Day celebration

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) condemns the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IB-PA) for committing serious human rights violations, specifically in the municipalities of Lacub and Malibcong, Abra where the 21st Cordillera Day celebration is scheduled to be held.

Elements of the 41st IB committed grave harassment, intimidation, indiscriminate firing against civilians, arbitrary arrest and detention during their military operations in Lacub and Malibcong from March 23 to April 2, 2005.

On March 23, William Basingan Sr. and his sons were indiscriminately fired upon by elements of the 41st IB when the victims were walking in Lantoc, Lacub. The soldiers only stopped firing when the victims shouted they were civilians. The victims were forced to sign a document stating they were not wounded or harmed in the incident and were then released, as if nothing happened.

On March 26, 2005, five men were on their way to hunt in Lan-ag, Lacub, Abra when they were arbitrarily arrested and detained by elements of the 41st IB under the command of 2Lt. Tovillo. The victims were brought to the headquarters of the 41st IB in Lagangilang by a helicopter and were turned over to Camp Villamor the next day. Four of the hunters were subsequently released because no case could be filed against them. But one remains in detention without any charges being filed against him.

Another case happened in the morning of April 1 in Buanao, Bangilo, Malibcong when a troop led by 1Lt. De Mesa of the same battalion swooped down from a nearby forested area and immediately surrounded the house where leaders of a community organization TADEK (Takderan, Aywanan, Daga, Ekolohiya, ken Kultura), and volunteers of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) were discussing on how to finish their community waterworks project in the area as well as other preparations for the Cordillera Day celebration. It is imperative to note that the community has long been marginalized and neglected by the government so they don’t enjoy basic services, like water projects. The victims were unjustly subjected to tactical interrogation and intimidation.

At 7:30 AM the next day, troopers under 2Lt. Tovillo, the same group who arbitrarily arrested and detained the five hunters in Lacub, similarly intimidated community leaders and the Barangay Captain of Buanao, Perfecto Matnao, who was forcibly cornered alone in his own home for tactical interrogation. This happened even after the dialogue was held with the CPA Secretary General Windel Bolinget. During the dialogue, 2Lt Tovillo agreed before the community that no military operations will be conducted in Bangilo during the whole duration of the Cordillera Day celebration.

In addition, 2Lt Tovillo and his troop marked a portion of the open fields of Umnap, Bangilo as a helipad. What’s the helipad for? The helipad implies continuing military operations coupled with aerial assaults, bombings and indiscriminate firing which would further put the security and life of the communities in great danger. The 41st IB plans to sustain their operation in the area, thus heightening militarization and cases of human rights violations.

If the 41st IB has a ‘word of honor’ it should uphold that commitment. But what is taking place is contrary to the unsolicited offer of Col. Angelito De Leon of the 41st IB to secure participants of the forthcoming Cordillera Day celebration, an offer aired on April 6 at ABS CBN-Baguio. Residents of Bangilo are hoping that no checkpoints and harassments of delegates would on their way and during the celebration, under the pretext of providing “security”.

The 41st IB has a bloody record of human rights violations in Abra. In fact, the incidents cited above is the second wave of human rights violations perpetrated by this military unit over a short period of time in the province. It will be recalled that elements of the 41st IBPA were responsible for the murder of Bernabe Banguey of Sallapadan, Abra sometime in July 2004, as well as indiscriminate firing and military terrorism against indigenous communities in Sallapadan.

To date, these cases have not been resolved. Justice for the death of Banguey and his villagemates is yet to be served. Before another crime against the people and another civilian would fall victim to military atrocity, the 41st IB should be pulled out of the province of Abra. At the same time, they should indemnify and pay for their human rights violations if they are an army of integrity, respect and courage. President Arroyo and Malacanang have not even lifted a finger on these violations. This is how the government treats the indigenous people in the Cordillera.

The massive military operation in Abra is meant to intimidate and sow terror among the communities protesting the entry of transnational mining companies and destructive mining in their ancestral territories as well as the worsening human rights situation in the province. It is also meant to sabotage the smooth preparation and peaceful celebration of Cordillera Day which will address the life-and-death issues of indigenous peoples in the Cordillera region.

The situation in Abra is alarming. This is also what is taking place in other indigenous communities in the Cordillera Region. This reflects the Arroyo regime’s policy of state terrorism against indigenous peoples asserting their rights to their ancestral land and resources through their legitimate organizations. As a desperate attempt to silence the people, the GMA regime is hell-bent in pursuing repressive measures amid the country’s worsening economic crisis.

Reference:
Windel Bolinget
Secretary General
Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance