BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Human rights and cause oriented groups, particularly those under the Karapatan and its local chapter Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), have expressed alarm over alleged information-gathering on “target persons” by the military in Tinoc town in Ifugao.
Allegedly leaked by one of the soldiers, the alleged document contained a list of target persons entitled “Municipality of Tinoc (Target Persons)". The document was allegedly handed over by the soldier from the 86th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Ifugao, Jude Baggo, spokersperson of the CHRA.
The document allegedly listed NGO workers and members and leaders of left-leaning organizations as “Supporter ng NPA” (Supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA)); “Nagbibigay ng Pagkain sa NPA” (Provides Food for the NPA); “Tulugan ng NPA ang Kanilang Bahay” (The NPA sleeps at their house); Imbakan ng Baril (Storage of Guns)”.
Baggo, who is also the secretary general of the CHRA, claims he was listed as number 22 and was classified as “Utak ng NPA” (Brains of the NPA).
The two-page document reportedly bears the logos of the 86th IBPA and the 5th ID.
In five columns, names of individuals are listed as well as their alleged rank, mobile phone number, organization and remarks/assessment of them by the 86th IBPA and the 5th ID.
CHRA also added that employees of the NGO Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) and the Montanosa Resource and Development Center (MRDC) were listed as “Utak ng NPA” as well.
The alleged “Target List" is a "cause for alarm because the political vilification does not simply stop with name-calling", Baggo said, adding that the document listed 28 civilians as targets of military combat operations in Tinoc, Ifugao.
villager Pio Dangew, former Barangay Captain of Gumhang, Tinoc and presently the Chairman of the Gumhang Farmers Association for Development (GFDA) is fearing for his and his family’s life and security. According to the Target List, his home is assessed as“Tulugan ng NPA" (The NPA sleeps in his house).
Due to stress, Dangew has been deprived of sleep for weeks, Baggo said. Dangew also gets startled every time the dog barks or when he hears someone walking toward their house.
“Mr. Dangew narrated how most of the time he cannot eat properly. His work routine is disturbed. His wife cried after they were informed of the document. To make matters worse, he and his family are constantly harassed by elements of the 86th IBPA [wearing plain clothes]...because of his involvement with the local farmers association, ” Baggo said.
The name of Gabino Lindawan, an administrative aide at the Ifugao Provincial Agriculture and Environment and Resources Office (PAENRO) is also in the list, the CHRA said. Lindawan's home is tagged as “Imbakan ng baril” (Storage of guns). Lindawan was tortured by elements of the 86th IBPA last July when they were looking for members of the NPA, Baggo said.
On July 21, 2012, heavily armed elements of the 86th IBPA allegedly dragged Lindawan from his house and interrogated him for hours under the rain with guns pointed at his head. He was allegedly mauled and was told that he will be buried near the “ambush site” if they could find a shovel.
Like Dangew, Lindawan finds it difficult to sleep, eat and work.
Another villager Modesto Hanggoy, who was listed as number 01 and whose home was classified as“Imbakan ng Baril” had narrated how since the encampment of the 86th IBPA in Tinoc, he and his family regularly notice soldiers in plainclothes watching their house.
In a dialogue held at Governor Eugene Balitang’s office, however, the military denied the existence of such a list and denied that the harassment incidents took place. - Artemio A. Dumlao