Surigao City residents are speaking against the 30th IB for forcing civilians to participate in a seminar on “reconciling with the government.” They are not rebels who need to “reconcile” and participate in the seminar held in Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City from October 3-5.

The military summoned civilians without explanation or any just reason. They were simply ordered to attend the gathering and threatened if they did not comply.

The civilians’ names were intrusively posted on Facebook along with a call to attend the activity. Fear of retaliation forced them to comply. Most of those on the list are relatives who have been accused of having links with the New People’s Army.

“They were inhibited from commenting by the terror sowed from the killing of Ignacio Arevalo in the barangay,” according to an interview with Ang Bayan. Arevalo was killed by soldiers on November 25, 2020, in Purok 13, Barangay Mat-I, on suspicion of being an NPA Red fighter. Arevalo was then purok chairman and Nagkahiusang Ginagmay Minero (NAGAMI) (United Small Miners) president.

The 4th ID’s forced fake surrender campaign in the Caraga region continues despite the declaration of the province as “insurgency-free” since March 15, proving the failure of the US-Marcos regime’s counter-insurgency program.