Left claims rights probers harassed

DAVAO CITY — A militant lawmaker had decried the military for allegedly harassing the International Fact Finding Solidarity Mission being conducted since Friday in at least three Mindanao areas.

But the military denied the accusation.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said in a press statement that motorcycle-riding soldiers and policemen in plainclothes and wearing masks had been tailing the mission members.

Soldiers and policemen also took photos and video of mission participants at checkpoints.

“This is strong evidence and confirmatory of rising human rights violations in Mindanao, especially against peasants and indigenous peoples,” said Zarate’s statement. —Allan Nawal