Military, human rights group trade accusations over displacement of Bla'an tribe

The military and human rights group Karapatan on Friday traded accusations regarding the alleged displacement of over 200 members of indigenous Bla'an tribe in Malapatan, Sarangani province.

According to the military, some 250 members of the tribe were displaced "due to the manipulation of militant groups," including Karapatan.

In a statement, Capt. Rey Balibagoso of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 1002nd Infantry Brigade said the displaced individuals "are victims of deception by militant groups who orchestrated the so-called 'Taktikang Bakwit' for propaganda mileage against the government."

"Taktikang Bakwit" is the alleged strategy of militant groups to force civilians to evacuate to dramatize the impact of military presence in their communities.

But according to Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, the AFP's claim is “a blatant lie to justify their continuing human rights violations.”

“The 50 families (or 259 individuals) from the Bla'an tribe in Brgy. Upper Suyan, Malapatan were forced to flee their community because of numerous cases of threats, harassment, torture, economic blockade and bombings perpetrated by the 73rd IBPA military operations since March 27,” Palabay said.

“The residents sought Karapatan's assistance and as a human rights organizations, we documented their case and we are helping them in their current plight,” she added.

Palabay said they support what the indigenous people's call for the “immediate pull out” of military troops in the area.

“The Bla'an's most urgent call, which we support is the immediate pull out of the military in their community and that they should be held accountable for the crimes they committed,” she said.

She described soldiers as “the most notorious rights violators.”

Balibagoso, in denying this, insisted that the “evacuation and hauling of indigenous people are pre-meditated, being orchestrated by the militant groups to discredit the efforts of 73IB in conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program in the tribal communities of Malapatan.”  —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News