LAST MAY 10, residents of Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas successfully expelled soldiers of the 20th IB who have occupied their community for more than a year.

This came after the residents’ evacuation and dialogue with the local government of Las Navas, the 20th IB and the Department of Interior and Local Government last May 9.

On the same day, 60 residents marched from San Miguel to downtown Las Navas. The soldiers attempted to block the residents in Barangay San Jorge and ordered them to sign a logbook which they refused to follow. The 20th IB has maliciously tagged the farmers as supporters of the New People’s Army to justify its illegal occupation of the community and harrassment of residents.

The soldiers also harassed the delegates of a national fact-finding mission conducted last May 20-22 by Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas, Karapatan and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.