SAGUPA condemns 46th IB brutality in Basey, Samar

Press Release by
SAGUPA – SB
January 10, 2005

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Basey countrysides are still in agony as military operation of the 46th IB escalates evidenced of several command posts littered all over far-flung areas of the said town, harboring fear and terror among the residents.

Reports disclosed that many farmers have fled their homes to take refuge in nearby barangays. This is currently happening in Sitio Roño, Barangay Old San Agustin, Basey, Samar. In November 2005, some farmers experienced military abuses, which persuaded them to air their complaints in radio stations to call for justice. The latest violation committed by soldiers belonging to the 46th IB involved the burning down of the house of a farmer on the mere suspicion of being a sympathizer or member of the communist rebels.

Lito R. Gacusana, Secretary General of Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB), strongly condemns the spate of human rights violations against these farmer-civilians.

“Their right to life and property are threatened due to this intensified militarization, including their sole source of economic survival, which is farming. Several lives and properties have been ruined into shambles brought about by military operations”, said Gacusana.

Elisa, not her real name, resident of Sitio Roño whose house was torched down by the members of the 46th IB, revealed that she is now under persistent surveillance as she has voluntarily come out in the open to expose numerous human rights abuses and terrorist acts committed by the military.

“Our movements and activities are placed in restrictions and monitored on mere suspicion that we are members of New People’s Army. Last November 25, 2005, some 20 military men in full battle gear and without nameplates forcibly entered our residence insisting that we know the site of the NPA camp. As we took no for an answer, they threatened to kill us. My father, 70 years old, was beaten with their rifle butts as he was being interrogated”, recalled Elisa.

“Lately, our house was burned down as we celebrated New Year in my sister’s residence in Brgy. Old San Agustin. We just discovered the burnt house on the morning of the January 1, 2006 when our neighbors relayed to us the news regarding the incident. At least 12 men in civilian clothes but in combat shoes suspected to be military men came upon our residence on the morning of December 31, 2005. Before midnight, they burned down the house including our personal belongings, utensils, furniture and farm implements. Witnesses revealed that the perpetrators belonged to the 46th Infantry Battalion with a certain Lt. Balasi as the commanding officer of the military operation since they have seen these men change into their fatigue uniforms in Sitio Sagne, Brgy. Del Pilar after the incident.  Witnesses have also recognized the faces of the perpetrators, as they were the same troops who sowed unwanted intrusions to privacy and security in our community. Before the incident happened, we have received information that there are 15 houses, including ours, which will be burned down by the military. It happened that our house was the first one to reduce into ashes”, Elisa lamented.

“We convinced the farmer-civilian-victims to submit their sworn statements regarding the increased number of human rights violations in your area for legal purposes and to further prosecute these perpetrators in uniform. We further call the attention of the government to immediately take necessary and constitutional steps and actions regarding this concern”, Gacusana said.

Meanwhile, Elisa and the other victims of human rights violations and suppression of people’s rights with impunity demand justice and the immediate removal of the 46th IB in Basey, Samar.