A farmer’s group has voiced its concerns over police and military operations that led to the successive arrests of farmers in the provinces of Albay, Negros Occidental, and Leyte after they were tagged as part of the communist movement.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) raised what it called “illegal arrests” of farmers who were accused of being leaders and members of the New’s People Army.
“We condemn these unending attacks against the peasant sector,” KMP chair Danilo Ramos said, citing the arrests that resulted from the implementation of Memorandum Order No. 32 in the regions.
MO 32, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea upon orders of President Duterte, paves the way for the deployment of additional troops to Bicol, Samar, and Negros Island to “suppress lawless violence and acts of terror” in those areas.
Under the memo, the Armed Forces and National Police shall intensify their intelligence operations against individuals or groups suspected of, or are responsible for, committing or conspiring commit acts of lawless violence in the country, as well as investigation and prosecution.
This month alone, some 15 farmers were arrested by government forces based on the latest count by the KMP.
The group said among those arrested were Joenefer Hermino, Glenn De Baguio, and Jordan Mandapat in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Another farmer, identified as Ronaldo Ogama, was also arrested at his home in Albay on November 17. He was accused of being a top-ranking NPA official in the province and had a bounty of P2.2 million.
The others were peasant woman leader Nora Dionaldo and nine farmers in Carigara, Leyte. She was arrested with her seven children.
“We also denounce the ill-conceived propaganda of the military claiming that ordinary farmers are members of NPA. We demand the immediate release of arrested farmers,” Ramos said.