The focused military operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have brought incomparable suffering to Central Panay farming communities.

Units of the 12th IB, 82nd IB, 61st IB and DRC under the 301st IBde have sowed terror in the mountainous border of Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo.

In Iloilo, soldiers wantonly shot and killed a farmer’s carabao in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao on August 9, which was a big blow to his livelihood. Despite the devastation, not one soldier was held accountable.

In the town of Calinog, a military helicopter landed on a rice field in Barangay Caratagan. Soldiers crushed and destroyed the crops which was already ripe for harvest. No soldier took responsibility for the damage.

Apart from this, soldiers imposed a food blockade in Calinog and Lambunao in Iloilo. Residents were allowed to buy only three bags of rice per family. This was a burden to residents who had to travel for two hours to reach the center of Barangay Caratagan, Calinog to procure their necessities.

Soldiers also set up checkpoints in rural communities. They searched and inspected purchases of all passers by. They baselessly accused residents of buying supplies for the New People’s Army when they deemed their purchases excessive.

These tactics have caught the residents’ ire. They reason out that they intentionally shop in bulk to save on transportation cost. Neighbors and relatives sometimes even request to include their intended purchases to reduce shopping trips.

Farming restrictions is also an added burden. Even abaca stripping, rattan and banban gathering, and other sources of livelihood have been prohibited.