Stop ‘Oplan Bayanihan’

Assert Socio-Economic Initiatives Network in the Philippines vehemently condemns the continued harassment of humanitarian aid workers. The attacks on the Alay Bayan-Luson, Inc. (ABI), a disaster response organization based in Central Luzon in the Philippines, by suspected military personnel have been consistent.

In 2012, gunmen believed to be military personnel shot to death ABI’s executive director, Wilhelm Geertman.

The most recent incidents of harassment include interrogation of members of community disaster response organizations set up by ABI in Nueva Vizcaya, as well as the gathering by military personnel of information regarding ABI from the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) office in Aurora province.

Last Nov. 4, someone claiming to be Lieutenant Cruz of the 7th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army called the office of ABI 4 to ask for information regarding the organization. ABI’s workers are now feeling the pressure of these actions and have suspended several missions to distribute relief goods to communities that were affected by Supertyphoon “Lawin” for fear of a repeat of the Wilhelm Geertman incident in 2012.

We challenge the government to rein in its military personnel in its overzealous attempts to intimidate and sow fear among development organizations such as ABI. Humanitarian aid workers have provided much-needed relief and rehabilitation services to far-flung areas in Central Luzon.

We call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to immediately cease its Oplan Bayanihan, which has claimed the lives of many individuals, including development workers, working for change in Philippine society.

RENMIN CRISANTA VIZCONDE, spokesperson, Assert Socio-Economic Initiatives Network in the Philippines (Ascent)