Marihatag,
SURIGAO SUR: A group of soldiers reportedly blocked the convoys of Surigao del
Sur Vice Gov. Manuel Alameda and Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Sarate who
were on their way to attend a local celebration of the 46th year founding
anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and Peace
Consultation.
The
two officials were reported stranded for hours because of what the soldiers
did, as the governor’s men said, came from the 2nd Scout Ranger
Company of the 401st IB who hid the name tags of their camouflage uniforms.
The
soldiers were said to be headed by a certain Sgt. Alvarez, Alameda’s camp said.
The
blockade happened in Sitio Mabong, Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del
Sur last Dec. 26, which caused a traffic jam at the barangay road as hundreds of
visitors and well wishers started to come in.
People
from various sectors, some of them representatives from different women, urban
and rural poor, elderly, youth and farmer-fisher folks, IPs and Muslim community
were also stranded.
Also
at bay are nuns from the Missionary Sisters of Mary and other religious orders,
priests and bishops from Catholic and Independiente Filipina Iglesia (IFI),
church leaders from the UCCP and pastors from different religious denominations.
Heated
arguments started to ensue when soldiers insisted that no one is allowed to
enter the celebration venue, about five kilometers away in San Isidro,
Marihatag.
Alameda
called Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel to tell the military to allow him
and his convoy to go to the venue and peace consultation.
The
vice governor also told soldiers that he was sent by Pimentel to represent the governor
in the peace consultation so as to assess situation if there is possibility of
locally initiated resumption of peace talks.
Alameda
is the provincial vice chairman of the PPOC, the council by which the military
and the PNP is part of.
Newsmen
who were with the convoy were told that clearing operations were on-going in
the area due alleged presence of landmines.
By
almost 10:00 o’clock, the stranded officials and the other commuters started to
walk towards the venue despite the warnings of the military not to go beyond.
Alameda
and Sarate said they will summon the military soldiers who ordered the blockade,
saying they were “disappointed and disgusted” on the military’s actions. (WITH
REPORTS FROM Ben Serrano)