THE MAKABAYAN bloc in Congress strongly denounced what it described as a coordinated campaign of harassment, intimidation, and surveillance by state forces targeting students, youth activists, and church workers in Eastern Visayas.

From July 30 to August 16, 2025, nine separate incidents were documented, which the bloc said reveal a “systematic” attempt to suppress dissent.

“Ang ginagawa ng militar at pulis sa Eastern Visayas ay hindi lamang pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao — ito ay direktang pag-atake sa mamamayan,” Rep. Antonio Tinio said.

He cited reports of store owners being threatened, families intimidated, and students placed under surveillance simply for expressing political beliefs.

Among the cases flagged were the harassment of UP student Paul Lachica, the intimidation of youth activist Kyle Domequil and her family, repeated visits to the residence of Student Regent Jon Ivan Torreros, and the monitoring of Kabataan Partylist members.

The bloc also raised concern over alleged military threats against parents, who were told their children “talk like red fighters” for criticizing government policies.

“This is classic red-tagging designed to justify further persecution,” said former Rep. France Castro.

“Ang pagbabanta sa mga magulang para kontrolin ang kanilang mga anak ay hindi lamang krimen laban sa pamilya — ito ay krimen laban sa buong lipunan,” she added.

Equally alarming, the group said, were reports of harassment against three pastors and churches in Southern and Western Leyte—an indication, they argued, that the crackdown extends beyond student activists to include religious workers.

Tinio also condemned the alleged misuse of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology records, saying the unauthorized release of jail logbook entries and personal information highlights how state institutions are being “weaponized against ordinary citizens.”

The Makabayan bloc urged the Commission on Human Rights to launch a comprehensive probe into what it described as systematic rights violations and to hold accountable all officials involved.

“Hindi namin hahayaang maging normal ang takot sa ating mga kabataan,” Rep. Arlene Brosas stressed.

“Their right to speak, organize, and dream of a more just society cannot be silenced by state intimidation,” she added.

The group demanded the immediate halt of all harassment operations in Eastern Visayas, reminding the Marcos administration that “true security comes not from silencing critics, but from protecting the people.”