PROGRESSIVE groups in Northern Mindanao are set to highlight human rights abuses and violations under President Rodrigo Duterte's martial law in Mindanao in their massive protest action on September 21, in time of the anniversary of the declaration of martial law of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Days before the scheduled demonstration, the Movement Against Tyranny-Northern Mindanao Region (MAT-NMR) released to the media Monday, September 17, the data gathered by the human rights group, Karapatan, since the military rule was implemented in the island last May 23, 2017.
According to the data of Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, there were already five victims of extra-judicial killings, composed mostly of Indigenous Peoples (IP) and farmer's organization.
Data also showed five victims of frustrated extrajudicial killings; 10 victims of torture; 89 victims of illegal arrest and detention; 465 victims of threat, harassment and intimidation; 245 victims of indiscriminate firing; 1,827 forced evacuation, 727 aerial bombardment; and 1,742 victims of forcible evacuation.
The group also highlighted the 720 victims of "forced and fake surrender" in Bukidnon and trumped-up charges against 78 people, comprised mostly of leaders of progressive organizations.
MAT-NMR spokesperson Fr. Roland Abejo said these cases have already been raised before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and to the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.
"Kani tanan anaa sa CHR ug sa Makabayan bloc sa kongreso para makatabang nga ihunong na ang martial law sa Mindanao," Abejo said.
The group accused the state security agents as perpetrators of these various rights abuses and violations.
Abejo said the group fears that these human rights violations will increase once the Duterte administration pushes the extension of the military rule in Mindanao.
He also said that more people might opt to hold arms and join the New People's Army (NPA) in the mountainside because of the ill-effects of martial law.
"Ang atong kabalaka kung ma-extend ang martial law is modaghan ang ihap sa mga human rights violations. Kung kana mahitabo manggawas ang katawhan ug momartsa ug basin mohawid na hinuon og armas aron batokan ang martial law (We are afraid that the numbers will rise if Martial law gets extended. If that happens, people might march or might even take arms and fight against martial law)," Abejo said.
Abejo is urging people to wake up and join them in calling the government to end martial law.
The protest rally is expecting over 1,000 participants from Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.