Colombian Human Rights Commission to investigate government forces’ alleged harassment of fishermen in Zambales

This photo was taken on May 16, 2024, showing Filipino fishermen fishing in the South China Sea on a wooden boat. (Photo: Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

MASINLOC, Zambales – An official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) confirmed that the agency will investigate the alleged harassment of local fishermen by government troops.

In a phone interview on Friday, Jason Carmona, a special investigator with CHR Regional Office 3, said he had sent an email to Pamalakaya National Chairman Fernando Hicap so that the agency “can initiate an investigation into the red-tagging allegations.”

On June 22, Hicap filed a complaint with Commission on Human Rights Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc, demanding an immediate investigation into a series of intimidation acts perpetrated against Panatag members by the Philippine Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion (IB).

Panatag is a group of local fishermen in the town and groups associated with Pamalakaya who joined the collective fishing action to assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“We hope that the investigation will progress quickly and that strong action will be taken against those involved in the 69th Bureau who are suspected of illegal conduct,” Hiccup said in a separate telephone interview.

Pamalakaya said that on June 1, a staff sergeant from the 69th Reconnaissance Battalion visited Panatag Chairman Julius Eshiyan and asked him about the collective fishing operation and other information about their group, Pamalakaya, and their whereabouts.

On June 12, the staff sergeant returned to the community but was unable to speak with the local leader because he was at sea. The officer spoke with other members of the local association and asked them the same questions about their organization and Pamalakaya. Pamalakaya said the members also reported that the military showed them photos of some Pamalakaya organizers, whom the military accused of being recruiters for the New People’s Army (NPA).

The next day, the officer went to the homes of people who participated in the fishing survey and asked the same questions, the group added.

Hiccup said the case for holding those responsible for red-tagging accountable is now stronger because of the recent Supreme Court ruling against red-tagging.

“We also encourage human rights advocates to denounce the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which are committing violence against Filipino fishermen while colluding with foreign powers that have invaded our territory,” he added in Filipino.

On June 18, 69th Brigade Commander Lieutenant Colonel Sonny Dunka said they would conduct further investigations to confirm whether these incidents were true, adding that there could be other entities “simply taking advantage of the situation to exploit these locals and even drag down our troops.”

Dengca also said that the 69th International Fisheries Tribunal and the fishermen share the same goal: to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and protect the Filipino people.

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