Amihan and the Environmental Defenders Congress (Envidefcon) condemned the harassment of Emilia Ventula, a women’s leader in Cagayan Valley. They said this is part of the state’s widespread and systematic harassment against people’s organizations in the province.

Ventula is a member of Makabayan Cagayan Valley and a former Bayan Muna Partylist campaigner in the past election. She is also a member of a peasant organization in Alcala, Cagayan.

According to Amihan Cagayan, a surveillance agent who introduced himself as ‘Jeric Santos’ went to Ventula’s house on September 8 and asked her daughter of her whereabouts. Seeing Ventula on the road, Santos tried to board her on his motorcycle to “talk” to her.

On September 10, Ventula was summoned to the barangay hall, where Santos threatened her in the presence of the barangay captain and secretary. He told her to stay away from Gabriela Women’s Party nominee and Amihan Cagayan chairperson Jackie Ratin. He would charge her with terrorism financing unless she complied. He also told her that she was being monitored for “evidence.” The 17th IB and the National Task Force (NTF)-Elcac also repeatedly red-tagged and harassed Ratin.

On September 12, six co-members of Ventula’s peasant organization were summoned to the barangay hall. The police interrogated them about their photo with the logo of Bayan Muna. They were being pressured to leave the organization.

“This is the narrative of the fascist regime—used to intimidate and silence the leaders and members of organizations that expose the truth and push for change in a society ruled by bureaucrat capitalism and engulfed in widespread corruption,” Amihan secretary general Cathy Estavillo said.

According to Envidefcon, the harassment of Ventula and her colleagues exposes how rotten and desperate the government is.