CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Some 200 peasants staged a rally in front of the Provincial Capitol here recently, seeking Gov. Raul Daza’s help in suspending the ongoing camp construction of the Charlie Company, 63 rd Infantry Battalion, in Barangay Hibubulyaw, Catubig, northern Samar.

The peasants came from 12 different hinterland barangays of Viate, Bulao, Magsaysay, Lopedico, Quezon, Catuugan, Roxas, Hipapian, Alagaon, San Francisco, Bonifacio and Hibubulyaw of the municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas.

Alexander Tan, spokesperson of the peasants group, when interviewed by ABS-CBN Catarman and Leyte Samar Daily Express, said that they came here to seek the help of the governor to stop the construction of the military camp in Hibubulyaw.

He added that they already had sad experiences because of the presence of military camps.

Tan said they are also condemning human rights violations involving civilians allegedly committed by the military in Northern Samar.

As thus developed, Governor Raul Daza immediately called foe a dialogue. Daza called up Col. Bernard de Luna, the 803 rd Brigade Commanding Officer, through his cellphone and instructed him to attend an emergency meeting with the protesters.

Daza then initiated the dialogue which was participated in by Col. De Luna; Major Pao Mama-o, battalion commander; Major Pastrano, company commander; and the representatives of the peasants group, namely Fr. Abel Echual, chairman of Katungod-Northern Samar; Professor Romeo Cui of the University of Eastern Philippines; Jonathan Callapses, secretary general of Bayan Muna; and Dindin Gallardo of Gabriela.

During the dialogue, the representatives of the peasants group reiterated their demands that no military camps be built in their barangay considering that there are two existing barracks in the area near Catubig town.

Col. De Luna countered that Col. Manuelito Usi, battalion commander of the 63 rd Infantry Brigade based in Catubig, should be consulted first because, according to him, Col. Usi has intelligence report that such area are infiltrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

After two hours of dialogue, Gov. Daza suggested that the two groups to agree to a compromise.

Both parties agreed to a full back position of 200 to 300 meters away from original site and in the meantime suspend the construction of the military camp in Brgy. Hibubulyaw until a consultation has been held in affected barangays.