BARANGAY DEFENSE SYSTEM (BDS): STATE GARRISONS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On the Occasion of the International Human Rights Day

Vibrant life has been lost in the countryside especially in the far-flung barrios in the Province of Sorsogon.  It is no longer a place of KASANGGAYAHAN (place of abundance and peace) but rather state garrisons where military rules the life of the people.  Military posts have been installed in the barangays; the movement of the folks are regulated and made to log their whereabouts in the journal of the post.  People who enter and leave the area are obliged to give their names and their purpose.  Dangerously, the civilians particularly the women (mothers usually bring their siblings in the barrios because they do not have “yayas”) and youth are made to watch the military posts.  There are even measures to regulate the supplies coming in the barrios such as limiting the rice purchase to 5 kilos only, more than that is not allowed and would mean supporting the rebels.  At times, curfew is implemented in the area; hitherto the economic and social life of the people is affected, not disregarding the political straightjacket that tightens the barrio atmosphere.  Members of progressive organizations like Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas are subjected to intensive surveillance and threatened to cease their activism if they hold their lives precious or their loved ones.  Even the traditional civic organizations are asked to disclose their members, the nature of the organization and the source of fund.  Fear and suspicion envelop the once tranquil life of the people.

KILLINGS, HARASSMENT AND TORTURE IN GARRISONS

Killing, torture and harassments have become penchants in the state-garrisons.  In the town of Castilla where the infamous anti-communist Mayor Renato Laurenaria then, Barangay Defense System (BDS) has been installed.  To no avail, cases of extra-judicial killings (EJK) increased and number of individuals and families have been harassed and threatened to the point of being accused as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).  To date, there have been 52 cases of extra-judicial killings and 4 victims of enforced disappearances in Sorsogon.  Not one has been put behind bars and impunity continues.

It is interesting to cite the chilling effect of this garrison-rule, there was an old man named Delfin Desder (85 years old) died along the way to the military post.  He had a heart attack.  He was summoned by the 2nd IB Philippine Army for tactical interrogation.  In the same place of incident, a man named Domingo Bustamante was mulled by the military during the “tactical interrogation”.

These cases prove that heavy militarization kills human rights.  Military arrogance and ignorance breed the unabated rights violations.  Such policy of the Arroyo administration runs contrary to the principles of international human rights wherein every man, women and children have the right to live, move freely and have peaceful life.

These “garrisons” are installed in the town of Castilla, Donsol, Magallanes, Irosin and Juban.  It is boasted by the military leaders and the former Mayor of Castilla that “BDS will be implemented in the entire province”.  It has been said that this “policy” is directed by the Office of the President – Malacanang, according to the military officials in the province.  Yet a copy of such Malacanang Directive is never made public.

There can never be a meaning commemoration of the Declaration of International Human Rights Day in the Province of Sorsogon as long as garrisons dubbed as Barangay Defense System (BDS) is not dismantled and the counter-insurgency program known as Bantay Laya I and II is scrapped.