THE Paquibato District Peasant Alliance (Padpa) has sought help from the Davao City Council on Tuesday to stop a paramilitary group from harassing its members.
Aida Sisa, secretary of Padpa, narrated before the council Tuesday how some members of the Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary had been harassing the farmers in Paquibato they suspect to be members of the New People's Army (NPA).
Sisa said their members are constantly being tailed by motorcycle-riding men and are being videoed at their residences and farm.
Sisa said some men were still following them as they were on the way to meet with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
She said recently, some of their members were rounded up and mauled by Scaa members.
Sisa denied allegations by the military that some of the farmers are NPA members or supporters.
The group said that if the harassment continues, some of their members might be forced to join the communist rebels.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said the council will invite the Scaa members accused of harassing the farmers.
He suggested the two groups sit down and settle their differences.
A few months ago Mayor Rodrigo Duterte brokered a meeting between the farmers and the military to discuss the same issue.