By Fr. SANTIAGO SALAS
NDFP-Eastern Visayas
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas today expressed support for more than 2,700 urban poor residents who are fighting eviction from Barangay Camp Downes, in Ormoc City, Leyte, which is inside a military reservation and near the headquarters of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (Philippine Army).
“The NDFP-EV condemns the brazen harassment by the military of the urban poor residents of Barangay (village) Camp Downes since the beginning of this year to force their eviction,” said NDFP-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas.
“The fascist dictator Marcos declared the 36-hectare Camp Downes a military reservation in 1968. But even before that, civilians had long populated the area and now occupy 15.7 hectares. However, the 802nd Infantry Brigade, which sits on a 21-hectare camp, wants to fully utilize the entire military reservation area for a housing project for soldiers and a naval base, among others.”
Fr. Salas rebuked the military for its sense of entitlement at the expense of the interests of the people. “Why is the military getting a housing project and other favors from the Aquino government, while the urban poor in Camp Downes get nothing and stand to lose everything? The residents were never consulted nor their best interests served ever since the land was declared a military reservation. The government has never recognized their legitimate claim to the land despite their efforts through the years. The people of Ormoc are furthermore disgusted by the military's arrogant ways and contempt for the poor.”
The NDFP-EV spokesperson also scored the military for instituting a climate of fear among the civilian residents of Camp Downes.
“Under orders from 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. John Bonafos, the camp commander, Lt. Col. Edgardo Batenga, is imposing martial law conditions on the civilian residents. He has been restricting the movement of the civilian residents, demanding an ID system and the tagging of houses, and ordering the illegal confiscation of private property. He is also blocking a P300,000 electrification project and demanding the disconnection of the residents, which the electric cooperative refuses to do because the military camp should be disconnected first because of unpaid back accounts.
"There is also a report that a 52-year-old woman, Liberty Pulgo, complained to the Commission on Human Rights that soldiers directed by Batenga pointed their guns at her and tried to force her to go to the military camp, which she resisted because they had no valid reason.”
Fr. Salas urged the urban poor residents and other civilian occupants of Brgy. Camp Downes to unite, organize and resist the military's landgrabbing, demand an end to the continuing climate of impunity for human rights violations under the Aquino government, and struggle for fundamental changes.
“The rights of the civilians at Brgy. Camp Downes are recognized by the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law between the NDFP and the Philippine government. Part 4 of the agreement has two specific articles in favor of the civilian residents. Article 12 states, 'Civilian population shall have the right to be protected against the risks and dangers posed by the presence of military camps in urban centers and other populated areas.' This is followed by Article 13 that states: 'The Parties recognize the right of the people to demand the reduction of military expenditures and the rechanneling of savings from such reduction towards social, economic and cultural development which shall be given the highest priority.'
NDFP-Eastern Visayas
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas today expressed support for more than 2,700 urban poor residents who are fighting eviction from Barangay Camp Downes, in Ormoc City, Leyte, which is inside a military reservation and near the headquarters of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (Philippine Army).
“The NDFP-EV condemns the brazen harassment by the military of the urban poor residents of Barangay (village) Camp Downes since the beginning of this year to force their eviction,” said NDFP-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas.
“The fascist dictator Marcos declared the 36-hectare Camp Downes a military reservation in 1968. But even before that, civilians had long populated the area and now occupy 15.7 hectares. However, the 802nd Infantry Brigade, which sits on a 21-hectare camp, wants to fully utilize the entire military reservation area for a housing project for soldiers and a naval base, among others.”
Fr. Salas rebuked the military for its sense of entitlement at the expense of the interests of the people. “Why is the military getting a housing project and other favors from the Aquino government, while the urban poor in Camp Downes get nothing and stand to lose everything? The residents were never consulted nor their best interests served ever since the land was declared a military reservation. The government has never recognized their legitimate claim to the land despite their efforts through the years. The people of Ormoc are furthermore disgusted by the military's arrogant ways and contempt for the poor.”
The NDFP-EV spokesperson also scored the military for instituting a climate of fear among the civilian residents of Camp Downes.
“Under orders from 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. John Bonafos, the camp commander, Lt. Col. Edgardo Batenga, is imposing martial law conditions on the civilian residents. He has been restricting the movement of the civilian residents, demanding an ID system and the tagging of houses, and ordering the illegal confiscation of private property. He is also blocking a P300,000 electrification project and demanding the disconnection of the residents, which the electric cooperative refuses to do because the military camp should be disconnected first because of unpaid back accounts.
"There is also a report that a 52-year-old woman, Liberty Pulgo, complained to the Commission on Human Rights that soldiers directed by Batenga pointed their guns at her and tried to force her to go to the military camp, which she resisted because they had no valid reason.”
Fr. Salas urged the urban poor residents and other civilian occupants of Brgy. Camp Downes to unite, organize and resist the military's landgrabbing, demand an end to the continuing climate of impunity for human rights violations under the Aquino government, and struggle for fundamental changes.
“The rights of the civilians at Brgy. Camp Downes are recognized by the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law between the NDFP and the Philippine government. Part 4 of the agreement has two specific articles in favor of the civilian residents. Article 12 states, 'Civilian population shall have the right to be protected against the risks and dangers posed by the presence of military camps in urban centers and other populated areas.' This is followed by Article 13 that states: 'The Parties recognize the right of the people to demand the reduction of military expenditures and the rechanneling of savings from such reduction towards social, economic and cultural development which shall be given the highest priority.'
“It goes to show it is the military that should leave Camp Downes, not the civilian residents.”
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