Leyte Farmer Seeks CHR Probe Into Alleged Pressure to Become Military Informant

ALBUERA, LEYTE — Farmer and hunter Wilfredo “Willy” Agustin visited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Office on November 28, accompanied by members of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers–Tacloban Chapter and Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas, to file a complaint against the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Battalion. He accused soldiers of harassing him repeatedly after he refused their request to become a military informant.

Agustin stated that the harassment started on October 20, when five individuals —soldiers and alleged military assets—visited to home. Three of them, all women, claimed to be former rebels who had surrendered to the government. Agustin explained that they tried to persuade him to work as an intelligence asset by highlighting his knowledge of the mountains, suggesting he could help locate guerrilla camps.

He recalled multiple subsequent visits, including one where they attempted to bribe him with half a kilo of rice in exchange for his cooperation. More recently, they gave him a cellphone, claiming it was a gift from the mayor. Agustin later discovered it was from the military and destroyed the device.

Agustin also mentioned being summoned to a meeting between the town mayor and the 3rd IB. During the meeting, soldiers asked for his phone number, but the mayor declined to provide it, offering his own number to Agustin instead.

The farmer noted that soldiers and suspected military agents frequently patrol their community, with even two neighbors monitoring him. The constant surveillance has deeply unsettled his family, forcing him to avoid the forest where he usually hunts for a living out of fear that the military might harm him and falsely accuse him of being a member of the New People’s Army.

Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas stated that this intimidation pattern is common in rural communities across Leyte and Samar, causing harm to farmers’ livelihoods and psychological distress to residents under heavy military presence.

“These actions go against the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” NUPL–Tacloban said. “No citizen should be coerced into becoming a state agent. These tactics are unacceptable and should be condemned by military personnel.’

The legal group mentioned that Agustin’s ability to work has been significantly impacted by the harassment. They pledged to continue monitoring the case and advocating for accountability.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations of the 8th Infantry Division, told Vanguard News that the unit is willing to cooperate with any CHR investigation as long as it is coordinated with the Philippine Army’s General Headquarters. He emphasized that the Army does not tolerate misconduct within its ranks and was unaware of any formal complaint regarding the matter.