Activists were harassed and shot by two military agents as they were posting anti-Balikatan posters last night in Cagayan de Oro City.

In a blotter filed at the PNP Divisoria station, Jun Lopez, a member of the US troops Out Now Mindanao, said they were conducting their 'operation dikit' at Osmeņa Street around 9 in the evening when two men aboard a motorcycle came and shouted at them, "Unsa man na?" (What are you doing?)

One of the men then alighted the motor and slapped the back of the head of Jaynie Omundang, 17 years old and a volunteer of the coalition. Lopez approached the unwelcome guest and asked for his identity and was pushed back.

Lopez said the man, identifying himself as Jaime Simbajon and a worker for the government, appeared drunk and reeked of liquor.

The other man also alighted and started firing his gun, causing Lopez and the rest of the volunteers to scamper for safety.  Simbajon was heard to shout at his companion, "Patya na! Pusila na! Kanang tambok unahon!" referring to Lopez. Some of the volunteers suffered abrasions as they were running away.

The Out Now Coalition condemns this desperate and cowardly act of the military agents for resorting to tactics of intimidation and harassment.  The AFP appears to be apprehensive of the people's expression against the US-RP Balikatan exercises disguised as humanitarian missions and the Visiting Forces Agreement.

No amount of intimidation will deter the people's movement from calling for the ouster of the US troops from Mindanao and the country. 


ATTY. BEVERLY MUSNI
Convenor, Out Now! Mindanao
0920-9200-0522

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