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By IGGY LAMI-ING, DONNA PETA
www.nordis.net

LAOAG, Ilocos Norte—Human rights groups and church organizations in the Ilocos region marked International Human Rights Day 2024 with renewed calls for justice and accountability for alleged human rights violations by state forces.

Activities in La Union and Ilocos Norte focused on urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate harassment cases and filing trumped-up charges against farmers, fisherfolk, and human rights advocates.

In Ilocos Norte, the Simbaan ti Ilocos Norte Agkaykaysa a Gimong (SILNAG), a coalition of religious groups, held an ecumenical prayer service at the Cathedral of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI).

Themed “O God of Unity, Sustain Our Common Mission and Prophetic Witness,” the event included testimonies on human rights issues in the region.

IFI priest Randy Manicap, spokesperson of Kaammuyo ti Kappia, noted that civil and political rights violations persist, citing 285 cases of alleged forced and fake surrenderees from 2019 to 2024.

He said: “Umusto laeng nga agkaykaysa dagiti Ilocano ken pumukkaw laban iti agdama nga inhustisya. Rumbeng a singiren ti administrasyon ni Marcos Jr. ken suportaran ti karbengan ti nakukurapay a komunidad.”

(It is right for the Ilocano people to unite and raise their voices against the current injustices. The Marcos Jr. administration must be held accountable and support the rights of marginalized communities.)

The ecumenical service also addressed terrorism-financing complaints filed against three human rights advocates—Myrna Zapanta, Lenville Salvador, and Petronila Guzman.

Zapanta, a lay worker of the IFI and Stop Exploitation social welfare desk officer, shared her challenges, saying, “Bilang isang Kristiyano, dahil ito naman ang itinuro ng ating Panginoon, ang maglingkod sa kapwa lalo na sa mga mahihirap subalit hindi madali ang ating gawain sa kasalukuyan, sa katunayan nagmimistulang kasalanan kapag tayo ay tumutulong.”

(As a Christian, because this is what our Lord taught us—to serve others, especially the poor—however, our work is not easy in the present time. In fact, it seems like a sin when we try to help.)

Meanwhile, in La Union, the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA) and the La Union Peace and Justice Advocates submitted complaints against the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army to CHR Region 1.

The complaints highlighted alleged harassment and intimidation of local leaders, including fisherfolk leader George Cacayuran and peasant rights activist Antonino Pugyao.

The two individuals are the latest reported victims of harassment monitored by the Ilocos Human Rights Alliance.

Military personnel led by a certain Sergeant Junas Difuntorum visited Pugyao in his home on December 6 and allegedly insisted that he sign a “certificate of non-participation” in activities of communist rebels. Difuntorum is the same army personnel who visited IHRA spokesperson Genaro Dela Cruz in May.

Soldiers also went to Cacayuran’s residence, looking for him last November 20.

The group has documented 106 cases of human rights violations in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union under the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. These include trumped-up terrorism financing complaints, red-tagging, and unwanted home visits by the police and military.

Dela Cruz said state forces continue to target activists, development workers, and ordinary citizens under the government’s counter-insurgency program. He urged the CHR to investigate and hold individuals such as Difuntorum and his superiors accountable. # nordis.net