Rights groups slam military over disrupted Negros meeting

By Juliane Judilla

A sergeant from the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion allegedly harassed farmers and Indigenous Peoples during a community meeting in Barangay Caningay, Candoni, on Aug. 13, in what rights groups denounce as part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation against rural communities and development workers.

In separate statements released this week, the September 21 Movement South Negros and Human Rights Advocates Negros condemned the actions of Master Sgt. Castor of the battalion’s Civil Military Operations unit.

According to the groups, Castor abruptly entered a gathering of farmers and community members affected by the PHP2-billion palm oil plantation of Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc., a subsidiary of the Consunji group developing more than 6,000 hectares for oil palm, without prior coordination.

They said he demanded to know who organized the event, questioned its legitimacy, and disrupted a consultation on alleged land grabbing and environmental degradation tied to the project.

Castor reportedly accused the organizers of being “illegal persons” and singled out Jose “Tongtong” Macapobre, a development worker with the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group Inc., along with his companion, without presenting evidence.

Macapobre has previously been red-tagged—publicly labeled as a supporter or member of communist insurgent groups—by the military, a tactic rights groups say endangers the lives of activists and community organizers.

Save Tablas Movement, an alliance of farmers and Indigenous Peoples in Candoni, condemned the incident, saying the presence of an armed soldier created an atmosphere of fear among attendees, many already facing displacement and land disputes linked to palm oil expansion.

“This type of search is not only a violation of the rights of an organizer, but is often followed by more severe attacks such as arrests, harassment, and even killings,” the group said.

Rights groups called the incident harassment and militarization of civilian spaces, warning it undermines democratic rights to organize and participate in community development.

“The militarization of communities of Candoni and Ilog, and the threats and intimidations of farmers and IP leaders who stood up against the destructive project of HAPI oil palm, is increasing. The Philippine Army is now used as ‘goons’ and security of the company during the bulldozing of farmlands,” HRAN said.

The September 21 Movement added that the military should be held accountable for infringing on residents’ civil liberties.

“The farmers were dismayed because instead of the military guiding them on what should be done and helping them as they had hoped, they were the ones harassed and treated as illegal,” the group said.

HRAN reminded Castor that the rights to form associations, seek redress for grievances, and assemble are protected under the 1987 Constitution and Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The groups urged the Commission on Human Rights to investigate Castor, demanded the withdrawal of military units stationed in Candoni and Ilog, and called on soldiers and police to stop interfering with farmers’ activities.