Manila, Philippines - The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women condemned the threats and harassment of state forces against Maggie Seva, Admin officer of Farmer’s Assistance for Resource Management, Education and Rehabilitation (FARMER Inc.) and National Council member of Amihan. Last August 23, 2023, she was threatened and put under surveillance by the 9th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ID AFP) in Brgy Libon, Albay.
According to Karapatan Bicol, three members of the 9th ID AFP dressed in civilian attire visited the headquarters of FARMER, Inc. asking about Seva’s whereabouts. The soldiers initially tried to force their way in by attempting to open the gate without permission. They also told FARMER, Inc. staff that they had to take a picture inside the office.
“Along with many other brave peasant women, land advocates, and development workers like Maggie, she has been targeted and harassed by state forces simply for asserting farmers’ right to land, food, and justice. We condemn the threats, surveillance, and red-tagging by the 9th IBP against Maggie. Moreover, we lambast the continuing political persecution and rights abuses under Marcos’ counter-insurgency program and increasing intelligence fund,” said Amihan chair Zenaida Soriano.
“The AFP went as far as to shamelessly intimidate her granddaughters in their own home. What right do they have to terrorize young girls and threaten their grandmother?” Soriano added.
After visiting the FARMER, Inc. office, the soldiers proceeded to the house of Seva’s sibling, where the only ones present were two granddaughters, aged 18 and 16. Without introducing themselves, the soldiers insisted on entering. According to Karapatan Bicol, they harassed the children to get information, a violation of Children’s Right to Safety and Protection.
“The incident brought great fear to Seva's two grandchildren, whose only companions were their grandmother who was ill and with weak hearing,” said Nida Barcenas of Karapatan Bicol.
Amihan called on the public to join in clamoring for the protection of peasant women rights defenders.
“There have been far too many cases of peasant women who have had their rights violated through arrests and even death after receiving the threats that Maggie has. We call for urgent protection of her, her family, and for all the farmers who are terrorized by military presence. The only way their safety can be guaranteed is by the removal of military troops from peasant communities, and the end of tyrannical counterinsurgency policies like MO 32 and the Anti-Terror Law,” Soriano ended. ###
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