BY RAYMUND ANTONIO, LIEZLE BASA
High-powered firearms and explosives were seized when government forces raided the house of a known member of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in Cagayan Valley early Wednesday.
The house raided at 3:30 a.m. in Barangay Carupian, Baggao in Cagayan province is owned by peasant leader Isabelo “Buting” Adviento.
Adviento was not at home when troops confiscated a 9mm MACII Uzi, one piece steel magazine, a 9mm pistol loaded with five bullets, 60 live bullets for caliber 7.62 mm gun, 20 live bullets for caliber 5.56 mm, one hand grenade, two rifle grenades, and an improvised explosive device or landmine.
Adviento is the leader of Danggayan, the regional chapter of KMP. He is also a coordinator of Anakpawis Partylist-Cagayan Valley.
He is currently involved in the ongoing relief operations in Cagayan, which was ravaged by floods caused by typhoon “Ulysses” in November.
KMP said Adviento is a “repeated victim of red-tagging.”
“As Cagayan farmers continue to face the consequences of flooded crops and homes, soldiers find the time to harass and [arbitrary] arrest an efficient peasant leader,” KMP chair Danilo Ramos said.
In a press briefing, Ramos said the firearms and grenades seized in Adviento’s home were planted.
Richard Dagohoy, a member of Baggao Farmers Association, was arrested by the authorities.
While the troopers said the raid was conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, the KMP said otherwise.
According to the KMP, almost a hundred armed soldiers arrived at Adviento’s residence. They reportedly destroyed the gate, forcibly entered the premises, and ordered everyone in the house to go out.
