Residents of Barangay Dicama 2, Jones, Isabela complained about the 86th IB’s harassment this week. They said they were forcibly brought to the PNP Jones station at noon on April 22 after they complained about the 86th IB’s firing at their house on April 20, around six in the morning.

The victims said PNP Jones and the military are forcing them to twist their statements regarding the soldiers’ indiscriminate shooting and instead state that an encounter occurred between the NPA and the military. A certain Virgilio Unay is also insisting that the residents allegedly had guns and even tried to take their pictures beside the damaged house and belongings.

Despite the complaint, the military remains encamped in their barangay claiming that they are in the area because of the “encounter” that took place there.

Meanwhile, church people trooped to Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela to look for Andy Magno and his Agta companion but the military officer who met them denied having the two in their custody. This contradicts the 5th ID’s initial public statement. The two were campaigning among the youth in Dicama 2 when the military nabbed them.

According to Karapatan Cagayan Valley, this incident shows the desperation of the 86th IB, 5th ID, and PNP Jones to reverse the truth that no clash occurred. It also shows that the military is ready to endanger civilians to force them to state its fabricated narratives. The group called for the protection of civilians and the removal of the military sowing terrorism in Barangay Dicama.