CHR Seeks Army Explanation Over Alleged Surveillance, Harassment in Eastern Samar

Posted on October 30, 2026 at 11:57 AM

Can-Avid, Eastern Samar — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region 8 is seeking answers from the Philippine Army over allegations that soldiers monitored and harassed members of a local development group and its beneficiaries, and used a barangay day-care center as an encampment in Can-avid, Eastern Samar.

The inquiry followed a complaint filed on September 29, 2026, by Jazmin Aguisanda-Jerusalem, executive director of the Leyte Center for Development (LCDe), concerning the reported activities of personnel allegedly linked to the Army’s 52nd and 87th Infantry Battalions in Barangay Balagon.

According to LCDe’s complaint, Jerusalem and two volunteers visited the barangay on May 19, 2026, to provide livelihood assistance to women farmers. The group extended a P73,000 cash grant and signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of pigs to help beneficiary families earn additional income.

Before proceeding to the village, the team paid a courtesy visit to the town’s vice mayor, who reportedly helped cover their motorboat fuel expenses.

The following day, when the group returned to the Can-avid port, unidentified men in civilian clothes and wearing face masks allegedly photographed the NGO workers, according to the complaint.

Jerusalem confronted one of the men but received no clear explanation. Two other men in civilian clothes later followed the group to the municipal building and allegedly tried to photograph them while they met with the mayor to discuss livelihood projects, LCDe said.

After the NGO team left, soldiers reportedly arrived in Barangay Balagon. According to LCDe, military personnel questioned the women beneficiaries about Jerusalem’s visit and asked for copies of the memorandum of understanding and photographs of the livelihood activity.

The soldiers also allegedly photographed the five pigs provided under the project, at times doing so almost daily, the organization said.

LCDe further alleged that soldiers accused the group of recruiting young people for terrorist groups and warned residents against accepting further assistance from the organization.

The reported questioning and military presence frightened some beneficiaries, who expressed a desire to surrender the pigs, according to the complaint.

LCDe said the situation has put the livelihood project at risk and raised concerns about its planned second phase of assistance in December 2026, which aims to expand support for the beneficiaries.

The organization also reported that soldiers had established an encampment inside the barangay day-care center, a facility intended for children and civilian use.

LCDe raised concerns over the reported use of the facility, citing protections for civilian objects under international humanitarian law, which sets rules for protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflict.

In a letter dated September 30, CHR Region 8 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Atty. Marierose P. Alvero-Joaquin sought clarification from Maj. Gen. Peter B. Burgonio, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division.

The commission asked whether personnel from the 52nd and 87th Infantry Battalions had been deployed to Barangay Balagon, the purpose and legal basis of their presence, and the circumstances surrounding the reported questioning of residents, documentation of the livelihood project, alleged statements against LCDe, and reported use of the day-care center.

The CHR said its inquiry seeks to establish the facts and determine whether human rights violations occurred, in line with its constitutional mandate to investigate alleged abuses and promote respect for human rights.

As of publication, the Army had not responded to the writer’s request for comment.

Photo of document courtesy of the LCDe office