Human Rights Update
September 28, 2024
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) condemns the intensifying militarization in Lupang Ramos, Dasmariñas, Cavite in Southern Tagalog.
On September 26, approximately 100 combined military and police personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Task Force Ugnay under the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division reportedly attempted to enter Lupang Ramos. They were accompanied by personnel from government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the local government unit (LGU) of Dasmariñas.
The local peasant organization Kasama LR (Katipunan ng mga Lehitimong Magsasaka at Mamamayan sa Lupang Ramos or Association of Legitimate Farmers and Citizens in Lupang Ramos) revealed that the resolution presented by the Dasmariñas LGU which authorizes state forces to enter the disputed land are actually counter-insurgency operations under the AFP’s Task Force Ugnay, in cooperation with the Dasmariñas City Peace and Order Council and Dasmariñas LGU.
This belies the so-called “inspection” for African Swine Fever (ASF) and the construction of a police checkpoint near the entrance of the community that were used by the state as justifications for entering Lupang Ramos in previously reported incidents. This follows a long list of attempts by the military and police this year to harass, intimidate, and red-tag the militant peasant struggle in the disputed land led by KASAMA-LR.
As of the moment, residents in the community through the leadership of KASAMA-LR have prevented the entry of state forces through the construction of a barricade.
ICHRP calls on the international community to expose the US-led counterinsurgency operations against peasant communities in the Philippines. We salute the residents of Lupang Ramos for their militancy and courage amidst heightening attacks by state forces.
Hands off Lupang Ramos!
Defend Southern Tagalog!
