Zarate says military allegedly tailing, harassing probers of rights abuses

Photos of tarpaulins in Cagayan de Oro from Rep. Zarate’s office

A progressive lawmaker on Monday denounced the military for allegedly harassing him and other delegates of the International Fact Finding Solidarity Mission (IFFSM), which is bound to probe the reported human rights violations in Mindanao.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said motorcycle-riding men had been following their group from their hotel up to the venue of their press briefing in Cagayan de Oro.

“Mula sa tinuluyan namin kagabi, we are being tailed by motorcycle-riding men. Halata mo namang kami ang sinusundan dahil ‘pag huminto kami, hihinto rin sila… talagang nagpapakitang gusto mang-harass,” Zarate said.
(From where were staying last night, we are being tailed by motorcycle-riding men. It was obvious that we were being followed because when we stop, they stop too… they’re really showing that they want to harass us.)

Upon clarification, he said it is “safe to say” that the men were members of the “military or at the very least ay agents nila.”

Zarate said they are being followed up until now that they were on their way to the Davao leg of the mission.

The lawmaker also recounted how the same thing happened to other mission members. He said delegates were asked to stop at checkpoints and were made to sign logbooks. Authorities, he said, also took photos and videos of participants.

But the military reportedly denied these accusations.

READ: Left claims rights probers harassed

Zarate said streamers “subtly warning them” from continuing their fact-finding mission also welcomed them on their way to the media briefing.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao earlier said the IFFSM, led by farmers’ groups and rights advocates, aims to investigate the reported incidents of killings and coercion against farmers committed by the military. /je

Photos of tarpaulins in Cagayan de Oro from Rep. Zarate’s office