The Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA)-Karapatan condemned the Philippine Army for its latest series of militarization and forced “registration” of Timek ken Namnama Dagiti Babassit a Mangngalap ti La Union (TIMEK La Union) fisherfolk members in Barangay San Manuel Norte, Agoo, La Union. According to the IHRA, the fisherfolk are aware that the registration is only a trap and is, in truth, a tactic to force them to “surrender” based on the accusation of being supporters or members of revolutionary organizations.

On January 20, seven Philippine Army personnel in plainclothes led by a “Captain Fernandez” reportedly went around the said barangay. They carried a list containing 30 names of current and former members of TIMEK La Union and required them to “register” their organization.

Prior to this, a prominent military asset named Benjoe Trisinio was reportedly going in and out of the community to force members of TIMEK La Union to get “aid” from the barangay hall. According to the IHRA, Trisinio is notorious for deceiving and forcing residents of Barangay San Manuel Norte and other coastal barangays in Agoo to “surrender” to the government’s framework of “Balik-Loob Program”.

Trinsinio is also implicated in the forced surrender of Teresita Miranda Villanueva, 41, a Barangay San Manuel Norte resident and a TIMEK La Union member. TIMEK La Union has previously denounced this tactic of state forces and their agents.

“In the past years, our organization has experienced similar harassments where TIMEK members are forced to sign an allegiance oath as if standing up for their rights as fisherfolk is a crime,” the group said.

Forcing the surrender of members of sectoral and advocacy organizations has no basis because the people have the right to organize themselves according to their interests, the group stressed. It added that such practices endanger the lives and safety of ordinary citizens like them.

“We call on the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the continued forced and fake surrender campaign of state forces and their agents,” the IHRA said. It said those involved must be prosecuted and be charged with criminal and administrative cases.