As SOMO ends villagers of Samar town leave homes

CALBIGA, SAMAR, Philippines – As the Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) ends tonight, residents of about 15 villages in this town’s hinterlands have started to evacuate and left their homes in anticipation of a reported all-out military operations to start this week.

Several families Sunday morning were seen moving out to the town center and are now staying with their relatives. Most of them came from the villages of Polangi, Macaalan, Burong, Mahangcao, Literon, Beri, Caamlongan, Buluan, Hindang, Daligan, San Mauricio, Otoc, Bulaw and Canbagtic.

One evacuee, who requested not to be named for security reasons, told The Freeman they were allegedly asked by the military to evacuate because military operations will start to pursue the remaining members of the CPP-NPA operating in the boundaries of Calbiga and Basey towns and in Eastern Samar where their villages are situated.

“We will stay temporarily at Polangi until we are allowed to return. The problem is when will this last,” said an evacue in the dialect.

But those living in the outskirts of Polangi have likewise decided to move in closer to the town center fearing that they might be suspected or tagged as enemies by either the military or the rebels.

Earlier on New Year’s eve, rumors had circulated in this town that a raid by rebels will take place, prompting the police and the soldiers on heightened alert. The raid however did not happen.

However, Captain Andres Fabellon, OIC head of the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Unit, told The Freeman there is no impending all-out military operations in the area even if the SOMO ended on Sunday.

Fabellon also denied the Philippine Army had issued a directive or request for villagers to evacuate. He clarified that the lifting of the SOMO means that normal military operations, such as regular combat patrols and similar activities will resume.

“These are simple peace and security activities, pero salamat din sa mga tao sa area for being pro-active, kung halimbawa naman na nagsibabaan sila, they should be assisted by concerned government units, but as of now, this is still subject to our verification,” Fabellon added.

Latest information from church people in Calbiga was that they were complaining that the LGUs were not assisting the evacuees. “The LGUs may not be able to assist because there was no notice from the Army,” they said. (FREEMAN)