đź“·: Koalisyong Makabayan | FB
The Makabayan bloc in Congress has condemned what it describes as a “coordinated campaign of terror” targeting students, youth activists, and church workers in Eastern Visayas, citing nine documented incidents of harassment and surveillance between July 30 and August 16.
In a strongly worded statement, the progressive lawmakers denounced the actions of state forces, accusing them of violating constitutional rights and weaponizing government institutions against ordinary citizens.
“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, strongly condemn the escalating pattern of harassment, intimidation, and surveillance being conducted by state forces against students, youth activists, and church workers in Eastern Visayas,” the statement read.
The bloc detailed incidents involving University of the Philippines student Paul Lachica, youth activist Kyle Domequil and her family, and Student Regent Jon Ivan Torreros, whose residence was reportedly visited multiple times by authorities. These cases, they said, reflect a deliberate strategy to instill fear and suppress dissent.
“Ang ginagawa ng militar at pulis sa Eastern Visayas ay hindi lamang pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao — ito ay direktang pag-atake sa mamamayan,” said ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio. “When state agents threaten store owners, intimidate families, and conduct surveillance on students simply for their political beliefs, we are witnessing the hallmarks of authoritarian rule.”
The bloc also raised the alarm over military threats directed at parents, allegedly accusing their children of “talking like red fighters” for expressing criticism of government policies.
“This is classic red-tagging designed to justify further persecution,” Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co emphasized. “Ang pagbabanta sa mga magulang para kontrolin ang kanilang mga anak ay hindi lamang krimen laban sa pamilya — ito ay krimen laban sa buong lipunan.”
Beyond student activists, the bloc revealed that three pastors and churches in Southern and Western Leyte have also been subjected to harassment, signaling a broader crackdown on dissenting voices.
“The violation of privacy rights through the unauthorized use of jail logbook entries and personal information by the BJMP is not just illegal — it reveals how state institutions have been weaponized against ordinary citizens,” Rep. Tinio added.
Lawmakers are urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and hold accountable those responsible for the alleged abuses.
“Hindi namin hahayaang maging normal ang takot sa ating mga kabataan. Ang kanilang karapatan na magsalita, mag-organisa, at mangarap ng mas makatarungang lipunan ay hindi matatakot sa anumang pananakot ng estado,” declared Rep. Co.
The bloc concluded with a demand for the immediate cessation of all harassment operations in the region, asserting that dissent is a cornerstone of democracy, not a threat to national security.
“The right to dissent is not terrorism — it is democracy in action. The Marcos administration must remember that true security comes not from silencing critics, but from addressing the legitimate grievances of the Filipino people.”#
