Residents of Barangay Villa Corazon, Burauen in Leyte complained about the repeated, indiscriminate firing by CAFGU (Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit) members in the community. They shared the complaint on the Facebook page Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders (EMWB), which released it on December 18.

According to the complaint, CAFGU members stationed at the barangay camp have indiscriminately and repeatedly fired their guns. They allegedly do this in the middle of the night or early morning, during residents’ sleeping hours. Residents also expressed concern about CAFGUs getting drunk inside the military camp.

The inaction of barangay and municipal officials on the CAFGU’s activities disappointed the complainants, saying government officials should not tolerate or overlook such incidents since these endanger civilians.

The 802nd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army, which covers the area, swiftly issued a statement a day after the CAFGU firing’s exposure. They claimed that the gunfire in the middle of the community was part of a “dry run.”

The brigade also threatened EMWB journalists. BGen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro said the media should avoid releasing “unverified information” and should coordinate with the military first to prevent “spreading fear and misinformation.”

EMWB disagreed with the general’s statement, especially with his claim that the report was “fake news.” The group asserted that they did not release the complaint as a news report but as an appeal urging authorities to investigate and respond to the residents’ concerns. EMWB stood by their information, emphasizing that it served the public interest.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) condemned CAFGU’s firing in the community and its blatant disregard by BGen. Almagro. According to the group, the general lacked sound judgment to think that residents could sleep soundly while armed fascists were firing guns, drinking, and causing disturbance within the community.

“These actions torment most the elderly, children, and the sick,” NDF-EV spokesperson Ka Celine Manlimbasog said. She added that by confirming the “dry run” conducted by CAFGU troops within a civilian community, BGen. Almagro effectively admitted that the military violated international humanitarian law.

“They could not even allow the masses time to rest after a day’s toil. Even during the traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations, they will continue firing, psywar operations and combat missions in the villages and farms of the masses,” she said.