ILOILO CITY – Two soldiers stationed in Panay Island are facing complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly red-tagging activists.
BAYAN Aklan spokesperson Kim Sin Tugna shows a copy of the complaint filed by the militant organization against two soldiers in Panay Island. (Bayan Panay)
Staff Sergeants Nathan dela Cruz and Ernel Mallan Mendoza of the 3rd Civil-Military Operations Battalion under the 3rd Infantry Division have been charged with grave misconduct and violations of constitutional and civil rights filed by complainants Bayan Panay Secretary-General Elmer Forro and Bayan Aklan spokesperson Kim-Sin Tugna.
The complainants said Dela Cruz and Mendoza repeatedly harassed and intimidated their members.
They said that Dela Cruz and Mendoza allegedly used radio programs to accuse Bayan activists as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army.
The two soldiers were also accused of misogynistic and sexist remarks on air against activist Rovelyn Tugna.
The complainants said that the Army in Panay Island did not only engage in verbal attacks. The 301st Infantry Brigade (IBde) allegedly deployed soldiers in civilian communities to spread fear, they added.
“These actions infringe on freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution and recognized under international law,” Bayan-Panay said.
Bayan Muna filed the complaint less than a year after the Supreme Court issued a protection order to former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Siegfred Deduro, an Ilonggo activist who had been red-tagged by the military.