Many barangays in various towns of Northern Samar have been under hamlet and military harassment for several days. The Armed Forces of the Philippines imposed the hamlet, or its term “lockdown” starting June 4 following its alleged encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) on June 3.

The Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM)-Northern Samar denounced the hamlet and other forms of military violence. According to the group, the “lockdown” is severely affecting and disrupting the communities’ livelihood and lives.

The group reported that 19th IB, 20th IB, 52nd IB, and 74th IB troopers strictly restrict and control the movement of farmers in the towns of Catubig, Las Navas, Gamay, Mapanas, and Palapag. The hamlet prohibits residents from leaving the village, even to go to their own fields, neighboring villages, or just to town.

PKM-Northern Samar shared that soldiers restrict the perimeter and duration of their movement. They are also forced to sign the logbook, and everything they carry, especially food, is scrutinized.

The military imposed the hamlet after its reported encounter with the NPA in Barangay Nagoocan, Catubig. Soldiers reported that two clashes killed five Red army members on June 3 and June 5. The NPA unit in the province is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

“Restricting our livelihood when we barely earn enough is inhumane. We cannot benefit from the current high price of copra, worse when expenses are high as the school year is about to start,” PKM-Northern Samar said.

Residents also fear that the military’s widespread arbitrary “lockdown” will delay the opening of classes on June 16.

“We ask 8th ID Maj. Gen. Ariel Orio, how long will your brutal lockdown last? Your extreme anti-NPA paranoia and counterinsurgency campaign torments even us ordinary farmers,” the group said.

PKM-Northern Samar demanded the lifting of the lockdown in the barrios and the expulsion of soldiers wreaking havoc in their area. The group also urged fellow farmers to expose the oppressive lockdown. “Let us call on our barangay, town, and provincial officials to immediately end this and we restore our peaceful livelihoods,” the group concluded.

Meanwhile, cases of intimidation of civilians in Palapag have been recorded, forcing relatives of those accused of being NPA members to “surrender.” Recently, the 74th IB released a video showing family members of those accused of being members of the people’s army making appeals.

Many of those interviewed are reportedly residents of Sitio Canonghan, Barangay Osmeña, and Barangay Capacujan, both in the town of Palapag. These two barangays are among the villages subjected to relentless combat operations, forced surrenders, and relentless human rights violations since 2020.

The NPA-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) condemned the 74th IB for its scheme of forced surrender. The unit said that the video’s release by the 74th IB encourages “bounty hunting” of those accused of being NPA members, which is a direct incitement to extrajudicial killings, contrary the fascist state’s so-called “due process”.