Military presence in Luisita confirmed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—A group of soldiers and militiamen has stayed at Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac at the request of barangay captains of the 10 villages inside the sugar estate owned by the family of President Aquino, an Army commander said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd mechanized infantry battalion, confirmed this on Monday as militant groups demanded the pullout of troops and end the alleged “militarization” of the estate, where 4,195 hectares have been ordered by the Supreme Court to be distributed to 6,296 farm workers. The lands straddle Tarlac City and Concepcion and La Paz towns.

“The 3rd [mechanized infantry battalion] moved to Luisita in 2007 to help cordon off south and southwest Nueva Ecija to clear these of insurgents. In the process, we have developed the capabilities and effectiveness to help [local governments and the police] in sociocivic and economic development programs,” Torres told the Inquirer.

“Our presence in that area is a testament to our commitment to protect the rights of the people as embodied in the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan,” he said.

The 48th, 69th and 71st infantry battalions previously served the area, he said.

Torres said the soldiers were staying in the area to prevent the revival of insurgency, although the military and the police had declared Tarlac to be insurgency-free in 2010.

They have also stayed on the strength of a January 12, 2012, affidavit prepared and signed by village officials, he said.

The affidavit, in part, states that the village officials “believe that the presence of the military in that area is necessary in order to maintain the peace and also serve to monitor and immediately respond to security, disaster and development concerns on a day to day basis.”

Torres denied claims that the current batch of soldiers and members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) has committed human rights abuses or has used barangay halls as headquarters.

In a statement yesterday, the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura said government forces never left the estate since policemen and soldiers and striking mill and farm workers clashed in November 2004. Seven farm workers died in that clash. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon