• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG) has officially called for an immediate and impartial investigation into a series of alarming incidents involving the red-tagging, surveillance, and coercion of its staff members and partner people’s organizations.
In an official statement, the group detailed a pattern of intimidation that they claim is a direct threat to the safety of development workers and the marginalized communities they serve across Negros.
The group reported that the harassment began to intensify on January 17, when staff member Analyn Mirano received a text message from an unknown number demanding her to act as a paid informer.
In a statement, PDG said the sender claimed to be an operative from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and reportedly threatened to harm Mirano and her family should she refuse.
This was followed on January 18 by a reported attempted abduction of PDG community development volunteer Joselito Macapobre in Barangay Canginay, Candoni, Negros Occidental.
The group said Macapobre, a known witness to a dismissed case against their member accused of terrorism financing, managed to escape from individuals who attempted to forcibly restrain him into a black pickup truck.
They also alleged that the state forces went to Macapobre’s residence and accused him of being a supporter of the New People’s Army.
The PDG said Mirano and Macapobre were part of the International Solidarity Mission that documented the operations of the palm oil plantation of the Hacienda Asia Plantation Incorporated (HAPI) in Candoni.
“They are highly visible advocates in the defense of rights of the poor farmers, Indigenous People, and occupants of public lands being claimed by HAPI,” the group stated.
In addition, they reported that several People’s Organizations leaders also documented acts of harassment and coercion in Kabankalan City.
“We firmly reject all forms of coercion and intimidation,” the group said.*
