39th IB soldiers disrupts peace mission in Sta. Cruz

Davao City - Delegates of the National Fact Finding Mission spearheaded by Exodus for Justice and Peace in Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur were harassed by the elements of the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Saturday (May 21).

The National Fact Finding Mission that was composed of various organizations went to Sta. Cruz to investigate on the killing of two peasant members of the a local farmer’s group in Brgy. Zone 1, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and the reported cases of human rights violations brought by the installation of the Barangay Defense System.

Twenty nine delegates from various sectoral organizations arrived at Cagas Gym in Brgy. Zone 1 at around 8:45 in the morning of Saturday. “Upon our arrival we noticed the presence of more or less two fully-armed military men observing at the youth who were playing volleyball that time,” narrated Jose Arnel Aguilar of the Promotion of Church People’s Response National Capital Region.

“We immediately left the gym and proceed to the Municipal Hall of Sta. Cruz to pay courtesy to Mayor Joel Lopez who assured us of our security in the area,” Aguilar said.

“We returned to Cagas Gym to proceed with our activity. That was the time we saw that the number of soldiers increased,” he said.

“Although the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Zone 1, Ricky Taylaran,Sr., admitted that he invited the 39th IB to watch over the disco activity of the barangay after the youth sportsfest in the morning, we are appalled that the military were very early to conduct their monitoring. It is very clear that they were in the area to monitor the activity of the fact-finding mission,” he added.

Two unidentified men who were believed to be elements of the 39th IB entered the Day Care Center where the mission team was conducting interviews with the local residents and farmer leaders.

The two suddenly took pictures of the interviewees. “The interviewees and our documentation team were harassed and feared for their security,” Aguilar said.


“Minomonitor nga talaga ang activity namin. Maituturing na harassment ang ginawa nila dahil natakot ang mga inimbitahang residente at mga magsasakang kinakausap namin. Nakapagdulot iyon ng pag-dadalawang-isip sa mga iniinterview na magbahagi ng kanilang mga nalalaman sa lugar at kanilang opinion sa kaso ng mag-amang Dejos,” he said.

“Our team confronted a certain military officer Meneses who denied that they were taking pictures, contrary to what we saw from their digital camera which we borrowed from them,” he said.

“This only shows that the counter-insurgency plan Oplan Bayanihan (OPB), which parades its self to respect human rights and promote peace, is out to threaten, harass and intimidate civilians. Just like the previous Oplan Bantay Laya, OPB is out to target legal progressive organizations,” Aguilar added.#

Press Release
May 22, 2011

For reference:

Exodus for Justice and Peace Secretariat
0930-532-1683