Rebels harassing Calbayog folk

TACLOBAN CITY — At least 41 families have fled their homes in Barangay Higasaan in Calbayog City due to harassment from New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.

The village chief, Leopoldo Fernando, has sought the help of Samar first district Rep. Reynaldo Uy and Maj. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, head of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, to provide security to his constituents.

The residents have asked the military to put up a detachment in their community to prevent the rebels from returning, recruiting minors, mostly females, to join their ranks, and extorting from them.

Fernando said the insurgents have also demanded a portion of the barangay’s internal revenue allotment and the village officials’ honoraria.

The rebels, he said, regularly visit homes and forcibly take foodstuff, livestock and money, and threaten with harm those who refuse, forcing the villagers to seek refuge among relatives in the city proper and in other barangays.

Lt. Col. Romeo Gapuz, commanding officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in Calbayog, said they are now coordinating with local officials in assisting the displaced Higasaan folk. — Miriam Garcia Desacada