The Philippine Online Chronicles

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The Philippine military is again facing accusations of harassment with the allegations made by militant group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

In a Philippine Star article, Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said that two leaders of the fisherfolk group's local chapter in Batangas, Isabelo Alicaya and Rufina Nolasco, are getting death threats from soldiers of the Philippine Air Force' (PAF) 730th unit and the Army's 16th Infantry Batallion.

Hicap added that the military was circulating information that Alicaya and Nolasco were behind an ambush by the New People's Army in Nasugbu, Batangas last January 22 that wounded four members of the PAF.

“The current thrust of the PAF is to bombard our leaders with black propaganda to justify whatever sinister agenda they have in mind against our leaders in Batangas. We urge Malacanang to stop this terrorist attack of air force personnel against leaders of legitimate organizations in the province,” Hicap was quoted saying in another article.

Pamalakaya previously accused PAF elements deployed in Batangas of trying to abduct Alicaya and killing one of their members, Wilfredo Gonzalez.

As of press time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to comment on Pamalakaya's recent allegations.

Last Monday, three University of the Philippines students accused Army personnel in Pampanga of harassment and red-baiting. UP President Alfredo Pascual and several groups have since released statements condemning the incident.

GMA News reported that the Army's 7th Infantry Division “are now in close coordination with the UP faculty members concerning the plight of the three community development students.”