Tarabang para sa Bicol, Inc. (TABI, or Help for Bicol), a group helping disaster survivors in the Bicol region, condemned the AFP for red-tagging and harassing its staff and consultant.

Group members were distressed about malicious posters that spread in Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur linking its members to the revolutionary movement. The posters first appeared on November 30.

Some of those targeted in the posters include TABI executive director Aubrey Versoza; Bicol Farmers School Training coordinator and consultant and Sorsogon State University-Castilla Campus faculty member Dr. Rose Sambo; and TABI staff Sherra Buen. They also became victims of surveillance, intimidation, and harassment involving their families.

“The entire TABI leadership strongly rejects these baseless accusations and the ongoing threats to development workers who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to genuine and selfless service to the nation. Such actions are irresponsible, dangerous, and place development workers and their families in harm’s way,” Verzosa explained.

On December 3, the victims filed blotter reports in their respective barangays and submitted their statements to the Commission on Human Rights in the region. They also sought assistance from their barangay to remove the posters.

TABI is among the leading responders to disasters, including the eruptions of Mount Bulusan and Mayon Volcano, floods and typhoons, and the effects of El Niño or drought. The organization also manages the Bicol Farmers School Project, which trains farmer-technicians to promote and expand agroecological practices in the Bicol region.

“It is unacceptable that instead of holding those involved in rampant corruption accountable, humanitarian and community-based organizations are being targeted, villified, and endangered,” Verzosa added.

TABI calls for the immediate cessation of all forms of red-tagging and harassment, as well as the assurance by authorities of the safety, rights, and protection of development workers and community volunteers throughout the region.